"Sure," says the boss. He mows lawns. Knoxville plays a man who goes into debt after causing an accident which injures his gardener. Verified Purchase. I have read the comments of others, and it appears to me, the people who were most critical hadn't even seen the film. Uncle Gary gets the idea for fixing the Special Olympics, figuring that an able-bodied former track star like Steve can easily beat the gimps who play in those games, right? Don't watch it if you're a bleeding heart liberal who can see the wrong in everything. The other 5%? Because the film is about the disabled, the journey itself is far too personal for many developmentally disabled people to endure and perhaps difficult for them to understand the good intentions.". He speaks on behalf of SO some 50 times a year, and in 1998 he appeared on a Wheaties box. Language matters," a Lincoln psychologist and author says. The film received mixed reviews, but its positive depiction of mentally disabled characters was received approvingly by multiple commentators. When you see Flowers in The Ringer-as he runs, jumps and hurdles circles around Knoxville, you'd never know that he was--well, you get the point. Here is the list of some famous people with mental retardation: 1. to be an intellectually disabled athlete to help his lowlife uncle WATCH THIS MOVIE AND ENJOY IT FOR WHAT IT ISa good film, an excellent cast, and the brand of comedy one can only expect from the Farrelly Bros. Have fun and laugh!!! Why would someone make a whole movie based on a "South Park" episode? If that's you you'll miss the stunning performance put on by all the competitors of the Special Olympics. : "There's a new sheriff in town, Eddie, and his name is Leonard Flowers. But after a long courtship, the Special Olympics decided The Ringer could humanize their athletes and add a new cachet of cool to their organization. Jackass fans will find plenty to like in The Ringer, Knoxville said. the word "retards" and "'tards." His first duty is to fire his friend Stavi (Luis valos), who is the janitor. Gary, assuming that Steve will easily defeat the legitimate contenders, bets $100,000 that reigning champion Jimmy Washington (Leonard Flowers) won't win the gold medal. The biggest problem with this movie is that it attempts to teach a lesson of equality, justice, and opportunity while doing the exact opposite. His uncle Gary (Brian Cox), owes $40,000 in gambling debts and suggests that they fix the Special Olympics in San Marcos, Texas in order to solve both of their financial problems. after which the Tennessee-born Knoxville drops his Southern-fried punch line: "Hotter than a two-peckered owl." Stavi, who always refers to himself in the third person, seems to speak in capitalized words, as in Stavi's Kids Will Starve, or HMO Says Stavi Has No Finger-Sewing Insurance. I also know how very careful Special Olympics is with putting their seal of approval on projects. Not much to say except watch it. Step by step, these situations strengthen our athletes, who find themselves increasingly united. Come on, a normal guy against a bunch of feebs? Media Inventory: What I Watched and Read in 2022, Media Inventory: What I Watched and Read in 2021. It really pushes boundaries, he said. Giving the athletes a sayTo make it happen, there were board meetings, script reviews and visits with athletes and their families. The film took seven years to get made due to its controversial subject. He poses as mentally challenged, calls himself Jeffy, forgets his last name, and his Uncle Gary comes up with Dahmer. There was some clever writing (not genius but sharp), Johnny Knoxville had some cracking lines, the accusation directed at the leading ladies boyfriend of 'he poked me in the chest and called me stupid'(sic) was a cracker. Funk portrayed one of the debt collectors, while Ventura lent his voice as a motivational speaker on tape. TV Shows. Absolutely, Farrelly said. Don't ever say that word to me again! The retarded characters in this movie are the same way. Stiller? The film includes about 150 disabled athletes and actors the largest population of intellectual disabled people ever portrayed in a mainstream movie, Farrelly said. "I say, 'Johnny, are you still making wisecracks about me?'. The movie also features more than 150 people with intellectual disabilities in small parts and supporting roles. You may do a lot more harm than good "I did not allow my son to see 'Forrest Gump' or 'I Am Sam' specifically because he will view these types of films from an entirely different perspective. The Ringer is a 2005 American slapstick sports comedy starring Johnny Knoxville, Katherine Heigl, and Brian Cox with cameos by Terry Funk and Jesse Ventura. I'll simplify the basic plot: a man needs to make some money and so joins the special Olympics and eventually tries to go out with one of the trainers. Lynn forgives him because Stavi told her why Steve pretended to be developmentally disabled, and they kiss. Now the people's eyes are opened.". they make Steve come clean. Unlike "Tropic Thunder" which made fun of blacks and though with disabilities. He and Knoxville became great friends. Reading the premise and seeing the commercials for this movie probably won't give you much reason to see it. The production provides decent work for legally blind people. Movies. This Movie Is Terrific Fun With a Great Heart. As Head of Delegation for a Special Olympic Texas team who has athletes featured in this movie, I have to take exception with the concept of assuming the athletes are being teased and made fun of in this movie. Don't anyone say this film is in poor taste. "The Ringer:" Lighthearted fun or deeply problematic? Imagine you are the woman hes lied to. Then the trailer for "The Ringer" disappeared for a while and then resurfaced completely re-edited. Which is precisely why Special Olympics isn't throwing a hissy over The Ringer. The Ringer. treated as an integral part of a big picture like this. All people with any disability should be treated with respect at all times. Early in a basketball game, the opposing coach called time and asked to see proof that Flowers was, in fact . And theres a beautiful volunteer named Lynn (Katherine Heigl), who Steve falls in love with as Jeffy, leading to complications. This lady was also known before as the mega savant of the television . It treats its disabled characters with affection and respect and it's actually kind of sweet. He just keeps eye contact with you and keeps flashing his 50,000-watt smile. Both men cackle. Steve will pose as a Special Olympian, run rings around the other athletes, and Uncle Gary will bet a lot of money on him. The plot holds up to the level of a competent sitcom, the movie isnt great, but I liked the spirit. Johnny Knoxville and Brian Cox are spectacular! Gary (Brian Cox), Steve's uncle, tells him that he should "rig the Special Olympics" by pretending to be a Special Olympics athlete. My partner however, was a little concerned about this prognosis. John Taylor is known for The Ringer (2005), The Seventh Sign (1988) and Dorian Blues (2004). They ask me, 'Can I take Problematic Representation of People with Disabilities in the Media Steve Barker (Johnny Knoxville) hates his job but after over two years of working, receives a promotion. What Is The Best Definition For Eloquent? Johnny Knoxville? The Special Olympics approve of 'The Ringer' - Today Says the director: "He's really going to challenge people's perceptions." The Ringer. Reach Colleen Kenney at 402-473-2655 or What happens is that the hero, Steve Barker (Knoxville), listens to one self-help tape too many: Hey, you! Directed by Barry W. Blaustein, it was produced by the Farrelly brothers. I want your autograph. Are any of the actors in the ringer mentally challenged? The sloppy screenplay, by Family Guy writer Ricky Blitt, isnt sure what its tone should be, and director Barry W. Blaustein, in his feature debut, certainly doesnt know, either. He doesn't sweat. NOT a "heavy" message film at all, just a comedy for everyone who loves to laugh, regardless of their abilities. Horrible Right? It treats its disabled characters with affection and respect, it has a plot that uses the Special Olympics instead of misusing them, and it's actually kind of sweet, apart from a few Farrellian touches like the ex-janitor who gets his fingers chopped off in the lawn mower. Eddie left his own impact on the movie. A young guy's only option to erase a really bad debt is to rig the Special Olympics by posing as a contestant.A young guy's only option to erase a really bad debt is to rig the Special Olympics by posing as a contestant.A young guy's only option to erase a really bad debt is to rig the Special Olympics by posing as a contestant. The only thing mentally handicapped about them is the funny way they talk and dress and shuffle around! 'Jeopardy!' host Mike Richards apologizes for sexist comments The risk was that it would further the stereotypes of people with intellectual disabilities as the brunt of jokes rather than the teller of jokes, said Special Olympics Chairman Tim Shriver. Yet the only laughs in the movie come from the mentally challenged characters, most of whom aren't actually retarded, but are merely regular actors impersonating mentally handicapped . For starters, the 5'6'' lefty point guard was carving the other team to shreds. Well, this is what happens in the new film "The Ringer." The Ringer - EricDSnider.com You picked it up in pure daylight and By day he's a teacher's assistant in the Lifestrides program at San Antonio's Wilson Elementary. The movie employed about 150 actors with disabilities. He played Billy in The Ringer. Not that The Ringer portrays Special Olympians as saints. Steve reluctantly does so, but hires him to work around his apartment. Its very funny, but I also saw the potential for changing peoples perceptions of people with intellectual disabilities.. But not in the form of cheap jibes at disabled people. Jake Johnson and Damon Wayans Jr. on the "Let's Be Cops," red carpet, Selena Gomez is immortalized in wax and more. you scratched it! Blaustein knew he'd found his actor. Passing through the main temples of Judo, our visually impaired athletes face the many challenges of training in an unknown country. Steve, who competed in track and field in high school as well as having acted in the drama club, reluctantly enters the Special Olympics in the guise of a high functioning young man with a developmental disability named Jeffy. A stubborn and hotheaded minor league basketball coach is forced to train a Special Olympics team when he is sentenced to community service. Eddie is on the international Special Olympics board. Yes, it's connected to the Farrelly brothers, specialists in bad taste, the same Bobby and Peter who showed the guy's artificial thumb rolling down the alley stuck in his bowling ball; indeed, the same Peter and Bobby who in "There's Something About Mary" gave us the hair gel that could have taken cell cloning research in a new direction. At one point, Steve feels remorse for taking part in the Special Olympics and tells a priest in a confession booth, only for the priest to punch him in the face and kick him out of church. She writes: "While you may find the story uplifting, it made elude your students' understanding. 10 Movies That Get People With Special Needs Right Its a cause close to Farrellys heart. You find out the man youve grown to have feelings for is not actually retarded; hes just Johnny Knoxville. 7 Stars with Down Syndrome & Celebrity Advocates Who Support - Bustle Disabilities are different, and call for different responses. (Jeffy is glad to meet Lynn. You dont get a medal just for playing. The Bell Ringer is a simple and fun comedy that should have been excellent. This film has been given a blessing by the Special Olympics. Knoxville's character meet and Steve drops one of Billy's CDs. Through a very convoluted, illogical series of events, Steve comes to be responsible for raising $28,000 so his friend can have the three fingers he lost reattached. The combination of that and Special Olympics smelled like it could be a cheap joke at the expense of Special Olympians but in fact it turned out to be just the opposite! Steve has an Uncle Gary ( Brian Cox) who is wanted by the mob regarding a past-due loan, and knows how he and Steve can raise the money they need. Early in a basketball game, the opposing coach called time and asked to see proof that Flowers was, in fact, intellectually disabled, or, as they called it at the time, mentally retarded (MR for short). When I first saw the movie poster to 'The Ringer', I was thinking "tasteless"? whole ending of the movie and they put in my Shakespeare. About 150 disabled actors are involved in the film. They have four children. Edward Barbanell. A hilarious and heartwarming comedy about a loser with money problems who pretends to be a mentally challenged athlete to rig . The Special Olympics committee eventually agreed to endorse the film, the film makers having given them final say on the script. (Can I have a slice of your doody?) The movie wants us to laugh at the way he makes fun of retarded people. These stories are usually tearjerkers and theres no need for it, Farrelly said, adding that disabled characters have played roles in previous projects, including Theres Something About Mary (Marys brother Warren was in a wheelchair) and Stuck on You.. I think he is funny, even though he has been quite the Jackass. Please subscribe to keep reading. A typical modern-day comedy so some of its crudeness with sexual innuendos or remarks, but overall this is a full notch or two above most because underneath it is a soft, good- hearted feel to it. Despite initially being disgusted at pretending to be intellectually disabled, Steve goes along with it for Stavi. We watched this film with trepidation. Most Profitable Items To Sell On Amazon | 2023 Hot Selling Niches, Benefits of NDIS meal delivery services for people with disabilities, The Future is in the Cloud: Why SaaS Platforms are Essential for Digital Marketing Success. You inspire me. The Ringer - Plugged In Sorry, The Ringer. This isnt the Special Olympics. One of them, Glen (Jed Rees), is always telling the same joke and rambles a lot. Uncle Gary still ends up winning his bet, as his condition was that Jimmy would lose. Read more. Well Done! The film was also endorsed by the real-life Special Olympics. And deaf people can always read lips phenomenally well? disabilities," he said. Don't assume they will get the same thing out of the movie that you do. Ten minutes into the photo shoot, with stylists giggling and the stars jelling like they were back on set, Knoxville says to Flowers, "We're on fire!" During the medal ceremony, Steve admits that he is not developmentally disabled, reveals his true name, and gives his medal to Thomas, who had finished fourth. They look up to you, Eddie.'". funniest lines, such as this line from a scene in which he watches Playing Leonard Flowers? But the words are used to lead up Release Calendar Top 250 Movies Most Popular Movies Browse Movies by Genre Top Box Office Showtimes & Tickets Movie News India Movie Spotlight.