Synopsis

Steve Barker is stuck in a mundane desk job when a twist of fate turns his life utterly upside down. Steve finally works up the courage to ask his boss for a promotion. His wish is granted, with one condition: Steve must first fire Stavi, the long-time janitor at the company. To soften the blow, Steve offers to employ the distraught janitor himself, a decision that quickly backfires when a lawn-care accident lands Stavi in the hospital missing several fingers not to mention medical insurance. Desperate for the cash to save Stavi’s digits, Steve enlists the help of his smarmy uncle Gary who’s worried about his own skyrocketing gambling debts. In typical fashion, Gary comes up with an unthinkable scheme just crazy enough it seem doable. Steve will compete in the Special Olympics as a 'ringer', aiming to defeat the all time champion, six-time Gold Medal pentathlete Jimmy, whom Gary will bet against.

What The Critics Say

"In The Ringer, character actors and intellectually disabled athletes work together to create a diverse bunch of Special Olympians. With the help of wisecracking one-liners, and slapstick physical gags, they send up conventional stereotypes and preconceived prejudices without fear or favour." Vicky Roach DAILY TELEGRAPH "This film has even been endorsed by the Special Olympics and it's refreshing to see they have a sense of humour. As do the "special" actors who have their fair share of gags, clearly enjoying telling the joke rather than being the butt of it." Kerry Bashford NINEMSN REVIEWS "A warm, pleasant quality is what distinguishes The Ringer." Chris Hewitt ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS "Knoxville gives an amazingly risky performance--how many actors would have dared to do this?" Rich Cline SHADOWS ON THE WALL "The positive light that bathes ["The Ringer"] make it a likable little ditty that will entertain all and offend very few, indeed." Robin Clifford REELING REVIEWS "If The Ringer doesn't strike comedy gold, it at least manages to score enough points to bring home the bronze." Robert Denerstein DENVER ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS

"It may seem tasteless to make a comedy about a man faking qualifications for the Special Olympics but in fact "The Ringer" manages to walk a nice line between the comedy and the validation not only of the event, but of the other special participants." Margaret Pomeranz ABC AT THE MOVIES "An unexpectedly endearing comedy." Timothy Knight REEL.COM "Though the movie bears some of the Farrellys' trademark outrageous humor, it has a sweet demeanor and makes a noble statement." Kevin Crust LOS ANGELES TIMES "I loved the spirit in which this film was made, managing to tackle this sensitive subject with a fine blend of subversive humor and real insight. Johnny Knoxville is a surprise extending his comedic ranger into the dramatic with a risky but ultimately brilliant performance. But the truth lies with the supporting cast, making it difficult to tell the actors from the real Special Olympic athletes." Jaimie Leonarder SBS THE MOVIE SHOW

The Inside Story While the concept behind the latest film for star Johnny Knoxville sounds a little far-fetched it should be remembered that it wasn't all that long ago when a scandal erupted at the Special Olympics after it was discovered that able bodied people were unashamedly representing their country at Basketball in the wheelchair class. In "The Ringer" Knoxville plays Steve Barker, a young man who is just looking to get ahead in life and his job. Inspired by motivational tapes, he approaches his boss with a view to taking on more responsibility. The boss agrees and tells him to sack hard working Janitor Stavi. Instead Steve offers him a job working for him at his residence. All goes well until Stavi loses three fingers in an accident with a lawn mower. Having no insurance, Steve must come up with twent eight thousand dollars for the operation. When his gambling, schemimg, ingratiating Uncle Gary gets involved Steve finds himself agreeing to fake disabilities so he can enter the 'Special Olympics'. It's an outrageous concept which obviously relies on a very large dose of political incorrectness that turns itself upon those who thrive on it. "At first, it was one of those ideas that just pops into your head and you think, 'that’s a funny concept but I could never really do that'. "But then I realized that we could really turn the whole concept of what it means to be 'normal' on its head through this story," screenwriter Ricky Blitt said. "I began to wonder what would happen if the 'Special Olympics' athletes that our 'ringer' meets are actually the ones in control, and the joke is entirely on him and his partner. It became a chance to tell a very warm, human story inside lots of edgy, comic hijinx." Blitt struck gold when Producer John Jacobs took his script to the Farrelly Brothers. "I knew they were the only two guys in the entire business who wouldn’t be afraid of this story and could do it with the right touch," Jacobs said. "They have always succeeded in creating moving characters and situations in the middle of outrageous comedy." On the day he was due to meet the Farrelly's Blitt was suffering from the flu. Like the athletes in the Special Olympics" he decided to go for it. I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall when that meeting took place. Why? "With sweat pouring down his face, Ricky pitched the story," recalls Jacobs. The reaction? "I don’t think I’ve ever seen Peter Farrelly laugh so loud in my life," he said. What was Farrelly's first reaction? "Naturally your first reaction to the storyline of this film is 'that’s a crazy concept'. But what’s so great about it is that it turns your assumptions upside down when a friendship develops against all odds between Steve and the Special Olympics athletes." There had to be more. Surely? "We were drawn to "The Ringer" because it’s a comedy with heart and we have always believed that, even in comedies, what audiences want most is to care about the characters. Comic moments will only carry you so far. Eventually, the characters have to be rich enough that people get behind them and relate to them at some deeper level. "The Ringer" has funny yet poignant characters unlike those seen in a comedy before." Well, does that mean the disabled people are the butt of every joke in the film? Producer Bradley Thomas doesn't think so. "I was impressed by how Ricky was able to fill his script with jokes and gags that never came at the expense of Special Olympics athletes, but, on the contrary, reveal their tremendous spirits," Thomas says. "At the same time, he didn’t depict these characters in any kind of sainted, after-school special light either. It’s an honest portrait of terrific people caught up in a funny situation." Not knowing what their response might be, the team decided the best course of action was to approach the 'Special Olympics' and get their blessing. "We felt it was absolutely crucial that our film portray the athletes and the technical aspects of the games as they really are," Thomas explained. "We deeply wanted the support of the community." Screenwriter Bliss admits, "I always thought they were going to find it too edgy." He continued by saying, "But it was sent to Special Olympics Chairman Tim Shriver, who is a really smart, hip guy, and he totally understood the tone and message of the script." Tim Shriver, who came onboard as an executive producer with Peter and Bobby Farrelly could see a big opportunity for his atheletes. "Beyond improving the lives of our athletes on the playing field, a key goal of 'Special Olympics' is to change attitudes of non-disabled young people about people with intellectual disabilities, dispelling negative stereotypes. Humor can be a very effective way to reach young people and the Farrellys are masters of both." Now all the team had to do was find their 'ringer'. The filmmakers say they "went against the grain in casting the rough-and-tumble Johnny Knoxville." They quickly realized Knoxville was their 'ringer' after he auditioned for them. "Johnny came in and impressed us all," recalls Blaustein. "He revealed a sensitivity that I don’t think the public has ever really seen before. Everyone knows that he can be funny and outrageous, but I think a lot of people are going to be surprised to discover what a moving dramatic actor he can be." As for Knoxville, he says "I love the way the script balances totally outlandish scenes with very touching moments. People typically have a lot of preconceived notions about intellectually challenged kids and this story knocks those right down. Plus, with the Farrellys and Barry Blaustein involved, I felt the film was going to be done in a really honest and fearless way." With Knoxville cast as Steve Barker they turned to the job of finding an actor to play his 'wayward' Uncle Gary. The man who got that job just happens to be one of my favourite actors, Emmy Award winner Brian Cox. "I thought Uncle Gary was a funny part because the character is really out there and so politically incorrect", says Cox adding, "and he is also very different from anything I’ve done in a long time so it’s a nice surprise. I normally play characters of gravitas and considerable intellectual ability, but Gary sure breaks that mold." Blaustein makes no bones about wanting Cox in the role. "I wanted Brian Cox for the role because I’d seen him in "Adaption" and I knew that he could be really funny and I also felt it was important to cast an actor who audiences hadn’t seen in this type of role." Cinemagoers will be pleased to know that there is a romantic interest for Knoxvilles character Jeffy Dahmor. The character of Lynn Sheridan, a Special Olympics volunteer who is as compassionate as she is irresistibly lovely, is played by the gorgeous Katherine Heigl. That's right, Katherine Heigl who appeared as Dr Isobel 'Izzie' Stevens in "Grey's Anatomy" and as Isabel Amanda Evans in "Roswell". "There were a lot of more well-known actresses that we looked at," notes producer Bradley Thomas, “but Katie came out of left field to win the role because she just exudes this incredibly sweet and compassionate presence that anyone would fall in love with, on top of being a talented comic actress." Heigl also understood what Lynn sees in Jeffy. "One thing I really like about Lynn is that she is a very nonjudgmental person," says Heigl. "And what she ultimately sees in Steve is that when he’s pretending to be Jeffy, he’s able to be very relaxed and goofy and fun without worrying that he is going to be laughed at. He’s able to let go of himself in a way most people never do." For Jeffy's friends the team cast Jed Rees as the outgoing Glen; Bill Chott as the outspoken Thomas; Geoffrey Arend as the pessimistic Winston and Leonard Earl Howze as Mark. Playing Jeffy’s hard-to-please roommate Billy is intellectually challenged actor Edward Barbanell, who by the way, has been a Special Olympics athlete for the last 15 years. has appeared in a number of regional theatre productions had no film acting experience but he really wanted in. I guess his answer to the question of why he really wanted that part, sums up what the true message of "The Ringer" is. "I really wanted to be part of "The Ringer" because this film is all about being part of a team," he says. "And that’s what Special Olympics are all about." The Verdict "Thank goodness for the politically incorrect. "The Ringer" is a clever concept and thanks to a loveable and enthusiastic cast it works well. Laughs galore as Jeffy Dahmor, a.k.a Steve Barker, goes up against champion disabled athlete Jimmy Washington. "The Ringer" is a goodhearted, well intentioned tale that focusses on getting on with life despite the fact one may have a disability. With a hearty dash of romance thrown in it makes fun viewing. Forget your prejudices and go see it. You may find yourself pleasantly surprised. Recommended." Cast & Crew Bytes "THE RINGER" stars .......
Johnny Knoxville ["Life Without Dick", "Men in Black II", "Lords Of Dogtown" and "The Dukes of Hazzard"]; Katherine Heigl ["Prince Valiant", "Bride of Chucky" and "Caffeine"]; Leonard Flowers ["N.B.T."]; Luis Avalos ["The Butcher's Wife", "Lone Justice 2" and "Hollywood Homicide"], John Rothman ["Daredevil", "The Door In The Floor" and "Prime"] and Brian Cox ["Troy", "The Bourne Supremacy", "Match Point" and "Red Eye"] as Uncle Gary.
"THE RINGER" was .......
directed by Barry W. Blaustein ["Beyond the Mat"]; screenplay by Ricky Blitt ["The Ringer"]; cinematography by Mark Irwin A.S.C & C.S.C ["Dumb & Dumber", "American Pie 2", "Old School" and "Big Momma's House 2"]; original music by Mark Mothersbaugh ["The Royal Tenenbaums" and "Lords of Dogtown"] costume design by Lisa Jensen ["The Gun in Betty Lou's Handbag", "Grumpy Old Men" and "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants"] and edited by George Folsey Jr ["The Blues Brothers", "Cheaper By The Dozen" and "The Pink Panther"]. Run Time 94 minutes Rated M [AUST] Copyright ©2006 - Fox Searchlight Films - All Rights Reserved Copyright Protected © 2006 - Impact Internet Services - All Rights Reserved