The Ringer, in which Johnny Knoxville plays a failed actor who tries to fix the Special Olympics by posing as one of the athletes, skillfully handles its subject by
turning the tables on its characters. Much like The 40-Year-Old Virgin, which gave more dignity to its title nerd than the womanizers who surround him, this makes sure that the joke is on Knoxville (without patronizing his disabled co-stars). Seeing those who are challenged – whether mentally or physically – as matter-of-fact equals is a trademark of Peter and Bobby
Farrelly (Stuck on You), who serve as producers here and have clearly influenced director
Barry W. Blaustein.
