The Ringer

Herald rating: * *

Anyone who has seen Jackass will know Johnny Knoxville can be an idiot, and here he has found a vehicle to make the most of his talent. Knoxville is perfectly cast as a loser in desperate need of some cash who decides to fix the Special Olympics.

While the subject matter might seem inappropriate, this Farrelly Brothers production doesn't have the same irreverent edge as their other films (Dumb and Dumber, There's Something About Mary).

The Ringer can't work out whether it's a naughty comedy or feelgood Disney movie. As much as you'd like Knoxville to push the gags, the film works better when the jokes are against him, and the rest of the cast, his new "special" friends, get to take the limelight.

Knoxville is Steve, a nice guy working in a dead-end office job who builds up the courage to ask for a promotion. Surprisingly, his boss is more than happy to promote him, but his first job is to fire Stavi, a hardworking janitor and the solo father of five kids. Steve can't bring himself to destroy Stavi's life, so he hires him as his lawnmower man, until a work accident leaves him missing three fingers. Stavi has no medical insurance so Steve feels obliged to find the $28,000 to sew Stavi's fingers back on.

Enter dodgy Uncle Gary (Cox), also in need of cash, who comes up with the abhorrent idea of entering Steve in the Special Olympics, while placing bets on him to beat the "tards". The only problem is that Jeffy (Steve's mentally challenged alter ego) finds it harder than anticipated both to fool the other contestants and win races.

Complicating matters is, of course, the love interest, with Katherine Heigl (Grey's Anatomy) a victim of Steve's affections - a hard sell given Steve is in Jeffy mode.

Fans of Knoxville might find The Ringer a little too try-hard and heartfelt for them, but among the earnest messages there are a few good laughs to be had.

CAST: Johnny Knoxville, Brian Cox, Katherine Heigl
DIRECTOR: Barry W. Blaustein
RUNNING TIME: 94 minutes
RATING: M - sexual references
SCREENING: Village, Berkeley and Hoyts cinemas