The Ringer
by Barry W. Blaustein
List Price:
Our Price: $7.23
You Save: $7.75 (52%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $0.93 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD details
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD details
Actor: Bill Chott, Brian Cox, Jed Rees, Johnny Knoxville, Katherine HeiglDirector: Barry W. Blaustein
Brand: Fox
Producer: Bobby Farrelly
Producer: Bradley Thomas
Producer: Clemens E. Franek
Producer: John Jacobs
Producer: K.C. Hodenfield
Producer: Marc S. Fischer
Writer: Ricky Blitt
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 5.1; English (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1
Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 94 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2006-05-16
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: 20th Century Fox
DVD Reviews of The Ringer
DVD Review: Johnny Knoxville as a Special Olympics Athelete
Summary: 3 Stars
"The Ringer" is a ridiculous comedy with a goofy plot and political incorrectness throughout. This movie is daring in that it touches on sensitive ground where many directors and performers would not dare to tread. Making a comedy about most subjects would be ok, but this film pokes fun (sort of) at the Special Olympics with Johnny Knoxville pretending to be mentally challenged and committing the ultimate act of shamefulness by joining the Special Olympics and competing for medals against other, truly disabled athletes.
This movie has all the warning signs of a tasteless, shameless, and morally offensive film and when I first watched it, I was expecting the worst. I admit, however, that the film's venture into politically incorrect comedy territory was one of its appeals. Making a movie that could possibly poke fun at the Special Olympics and what it stands for was too outrageous to be true and it convinced me to rent the DVD and find out for myself if it really was a film made with incredible bad taste.
What I discovered is The Ringer is not all that offensive after all and in many ways it actually shines a positive light on the Special Olympics and its athletes. Yes, there are the many scenes where Knoxville is walking around with his head tilted, talking and acting like he has a serious disability and these scenes could offend some viewers. But the interesting twist on the whole movie is that Knoxville's "Jeffy" character is actually the one person who seems the stupidest and his co- athletes are the ones who seem the brightest. In fact, there is the one scene in the movie where the other athletes confront Knoxville's character because they know he is a fraud. They can see right through his act. "Jeffy" is shocked because he assumes that Special Olympics people will be easy to fool but not only is this untrue, they are also very good in competitive sports, causing Knoxville's character to rethink his strategy. What he and his uncle thought would be a cake walk turns out to be a tough competition.
The attraction between Knoxville and his co- star is the one subplot to the film and while cute, it isn't essential to the overall picture. Actress Katherine Heigl plays a Special Olympics volunteer who is engaged to actor Zen Gesner. Knoxville's character takes an instant liking to her and he plays on her sympathies to win her affections. After a while, she discovers that "Jeffy" isn't the disabled person she thought and she reacts with rage. It is up to Knoxville to win her back, if it can even be done at all. This subplot is ok, but the film could have concentrated entirely on the Special Olympics without any loss in comedic value.
Performances in this film are generally ok, with Brian Cox as the standout in the bunch. Johnny Knoxville passes in this role, even though his "Jeffy" personification is rather weak. Of course, he is doing an acting role within an acting role so I don't know if we can really blame this on lack of talent. Probably the best performers of all, however, are Edward Barbanell, Nicole Bradley, John Taylor, and others who are actual Special Olympics athletes. They each play a role as a specific character, but since they are actual athletes in the Special Olympics, they add a jolt of reality to the film and their performances are commendable.
DVD extras for "The Ringer" include deleted scenes, a message from Special Olympics chairman Tim Shriver, special commentary by the director, writer, and some of the performers, and a special feature on the Special Olympics itself. This film actually received a thumbs- up from the Special Olympics- they gave their approval to go ahead with the movie. Even though it is a comedy and it has what seems like a distasteful premise, the movie treats the Olympians with respect.
Overall, The Ringer is a silly, slapstick comedy that offers a few funny lines and some ok comedy for the most part while also bringing to the forefront an important organization that deserves some much deserved attention. The movie gets a little carried away at times with Knoxville's character and his shameful attempt to rig the Special Olympics. But the film plays it safe, never crossing to line into outright offensiveness. It makes a good film for those times when you're in a light- hearted mood and want a movie that is mildly amusing and a little controversial without going too far on either count.
Description of The Ringer
RINGER - DVD MovieBestsellers in DVD
![The Story of Jeremiah [VHS] Image](/images/noimg.gif)
The Story of Jeremiah [VHS]Vision Video; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Wresting With God [VHS]by Vision Video
Vision Video; Published: 1990-10-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops:
Study Bible Video with Workbook [VHS]Spring Arbor Distributors; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $7.95
Price in other shops:
Tempo:Childrens TV Favourites Video [VHS]HarperCollins Audio; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $9.17
Price in other shops:
Tempo.Herbs:Parseley'Sb/ Party Video [VHS]HarperCollins Audio; VHS Tape; VHS Video
![Strike the Original Match [VHS] Image](/images/Strike-the-Original-Match-VHS-0001374079-X.jpg)
Strike the Original Match [VHS]New Liberty Films; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops:
![Medjugorje The Miracles and the Message [VHS] Image](/images/Medjugorje-The-Miracles-and-the-Message-VHS-0001373293-X.jpg)
Medjugorje The Miracles and the Message [VHS]JPN Film Production; Release date: 1995-12-15; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $29.99
Mayo Clinic Echocardiography Review Course for Boards and Recertification DVD 2008by Mayo
DVD
Price in other shops:
Pediatric Diagnostic Imaging DVD: Single Userby Oakstone
DVD
Price in other shops:
Cost Accounting [VHS]by Charles T. Horngren, George Foster, Srikant M. Datar, Howard Teall
Pearson Canada, Toronto; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Similar DVDs, VHS Video, Audio CDs
Hot Fuzz (Widescreen Edition)Universal Studios; Release date: 2007-07-31; Published: 2007-07-01; DVD
Best price: $4.75
Price in other shops:
A Night At the Roxbury (Special Collector's Edition)PARAMOUNT HOME VIDEO; Release date: 2007-08-28; DVD
Best price: $3.00
Price in other shops:
Grandma's Boy (Unrated Edition)CARDELLINI,LINDA; Release date: 2006-05-09; DVD
Best price: $6.17
Price in other shops:
Blades of Glory (Widescreen Edition)PARAMOUNT PICTURES; Release date: 2007-08-28; DVD
Best price: $2.45
Price in other shops:
The Longest Yard (Widescreen Edition)Paramount; Release date: 2005-09-20; DVD
Best price: $3.45
Price in other shops:
Bucky Larson Born To Be A StarRelease date: 2012-01-17; Amazon Instant Video; Movie
Best price: $12.99
Role Models (Unrated)Uni; Release date: 2009-03-10; Published: 2009-03-01; DVD
Best price: $5.00
Price in other shops:
Accepted (Widescreen Edition)NBC Universal; Release date: 2006-11-14; DVD
Best price: $1.92
Price in other shops:
The BenchwarmersSony Pictures; Release date: 2006-07-25; Published: 2006-07-01; DVD
Best price: $6.33
Price in other shops:
Step Brothers (Single-Disc Unrated Edition)Sony; Release date: 2008-12-02; DVD
Best price: $6.83
Price in other shops: