The Ringer is a 2005 comedy starring Johnny Knoxville, Katherine Heigl, and Brian Cox with cameos by Terry Funk and Jesse Ventura. It is produced by the Farrelly Brothers and was released on December 23, 2005 by Fox Searchlight.
Plot
The story follows Steve (Knoxville), who must raise $28,000 to pay for surgery to re-attach his gardener’s fingers. His uncle Gary (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. Steve, who competed in track and field in high school as well as being in the drama club, enters the Special Olympics in the guise of a “high functioning developmentally disabled young man” named “Jeffy Dahmor”. Gary, assuming that Steve will easily defeat the legitimate contenders, bets $100,000 that reigning champion Jimmy Washington will not win the gold medal.
During the competition, “Jeffy” falls for Lynn (Heigl), a volunteer for the Special Olympics. During this time, some of the other contestants see through “Jeffy’s” ruse. However, since they also dislike the pompous, arrogant Jimmy, they decide to go along with the ruse and try help “Jeffy” defeat Jimmy. “Jeffy” does not actually win; his friend Glenn does, with “Jeffy” coming in third behind Jimmy. During the medal ceremony “Jeffy” admits that he’s not handicapped, his name is actually Steve Barker, and that he doesn’t deserve his medal. He then gives his medal to Thomas, who had come in fourth. Lynn, disgusted with Steve, slaps him and leaves. Uncle Gary still ends up winning his bet, since the condition wasn’t that “Jeffy” would win, but that Jimmy would not.
6 months later, Steve has quit his job and is working in theatre, helping produce a play with the friends he made during the Special Olympics. Glen and the others trick Lynn into coming to the theatre, and seeing the work that Steve is now doing, she forgives him and kisses him.
Reception
The movie was met with mixed reviews. Some critics thought that it was too predictable.However, noted critic Roger Ebert gave it a positive review.
Box office
When it opened The Ringer earned $7,702,439 and its box office total was $35,019,634. It also earned $40,800,000 in DVD sales.
Cast
Johnny Knoxville as Steve Barker
Brian Cox as Gary Barker
Katherine Heigl as Lynn Sheridan
Jed Rees as Glen
Bill Chott as Thomas
Edward Barbanell as Billy
Leonard Earl Howze as Mark
Geoffrey Arend as Winston
John Taylor as Rudy
Luis Avalos as Stavi
Leonard Flowers as Jimmy