The Ringer

In The Ringer, Johnny Knoxville (of Jackass fame) pretends to be mentally challenged in order to enter the Special Olympics so that his sleazy uncle can win a bundle by betting on the competition. While those familiar with Knoxville's work might think that the role is tailor-made and not much of a thespian stretch, Knoxville's mentally-challenged routine is actually pretty awful, especially compared to his fellow actors (a few of whom are really mentally challenged). As for the film, even though the premise threatens to serve up an orgy of tastelessness, the end result is actually rather sweet. The people you fear will be made the butt of jokes are instead treated as heroic, clever, and funny, while the fraud—who's conflicted to begin with—comes to think of them not only as friends but in many ways as his superiors. But while inoffensive (the movie actually could have stood more of the grossly insensitive uncle, played with relish by Brian Cox), The Ringer is also flaccidly paced and predictable, especially in a romantic subplot in which Knoxville falls head over heels for a Special Olympics volunteer. Not a necessary purchase. [Note: DVD extras include both widescreen and full screen versions, audio commentary (by director Barry W. Blaustein, screenwriter Ricky Blitt, producer Peter Farrelly, and costars Johnny Knoxville, Edward Barbanell, and John Taylor), 16 deleted scenes (19 min.), a seven-minute “Let the Games Begin” behind-the-scenes featurette, a three-minute featurette on the “Special Olympics,” a segment featuring Special Olympics chairman Tim Shriver (2 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for an uneven comedy.] (F. Swietek)[Blu-ray Review—June 3, 2014—Fox, 94 min., PG-13, $16.99—Making its first appearance on Blu-ray, 2005's The Ringer sports a fine transfer and a DTS-HD 5.1 soundtrack. Extras include audio commentary by director Barry W. Blaustein, writer Ricky Blitt, producer Peter Farrelly, and costars Johnny Knoxville, Edward Barbanell, and John Taylor; deleted scenes (19 min.); a “Let the Games Begin” behind-the-scenes featurette (7 min.); and trailers. Bottom line: a so-so comedy bows on Blu-ray.]