The Wonder of the Wonder Bread Car.

Rating: Null/10 (8 August 2007)

The chaotic and silly world of NASCAR is given the spotlight in this hilarious, but under-whelming Will Farrell vehicle which is fast, furious, and totally out of control. Farrell is the titled character, a loud and obnoxious nitwit who just wants to go fast and win every race he can. He has a red hot wife (Leslie Bibb) who only cares about his money, friends galore (former Oscar nominees Michael Clarke Duncan, John C. Reilly, and Amy Adams), a loving mother (Jane Lynch), and a long-lost father (great turn by Gary Cole) who unwittingly had the biggest influence in Farrell's life and career. But evil looms as gay French NASCAR all-star Sacha Baron Cohen (of "Borat" fame) and lover Andy Richter threaten to destroy not only Farrell's phenomenal career, but ultimately his life as well. To say "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby" is not funny would be totally untrue, but the laughs die down as the clock ticks and then we are left with a could-have-been movie by the end of the production's running time. A little too long and maybe a little too clever for its own good, I think the picture ran out of gas before it was supposed to. Got to say though, love that cougar Cole gave to Farrell to get him over his driving fears. 2.5 out of 5 stars.