No Top

Rating: 10/10 (6 August 2006)

With Will Ferrell there is no "over the top", because for Ferrell there is no "top"this is an acknowledgment of Farrell's unique talent and gifts. In "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby" Will Farrell plays NASCAR champion Ricky Bobby whose credo is "If you ain't first, you're last." He and childhood bud Cal Naughton, Jr. (John C. Reily) dominate the NASCAR circuit as "Shake" and "Bake". Two signature scenes illustrate the Will Ferrell experience. Following a traumatic crash and mental meltdown, Ricky is convinced he is paralyzed, when it is only in his "head". However, he screams to partner Cal (Reily) and pit manager Lucius (steady Michael Clarke Duncan), "I am so paralyzed!" and stabs himself in his own thigh. Also on the road to regain his driving edge, Ricky's estranged father Reese Bobby (Gary Cole) tells his son, "You have to learn to drive with the fear..."Reese makes Ricky drive with a live cougar. Both scenes had me laugh so hard, I was in tears. "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby" is funny and cleverly written by Ferrell and director Adam McKay. Ferrell and McKay nail the NASCAR culture in their satire, and "Talladega Night" is funnier than its trailer.
In "Talladega Nights" Ricky and Cal rule NASCAR finishing first and second in their races (when Bobby doesn't crash). Cal always finishes second. Ricky has all the trappings of wealth and celebrity. He's got a mansion, luxury cars, his sons-- Walker (Houston Tumlin) and Texas Ranger (Grayson Russell), his "Red-Hot Smokin' Wife" Carley (dead-on Leslie Bibb), and his loyal assistant Susan (funny Amy Adams). Ricky has a lot to be thankful for demonstrated in a hilarious dinner prayer scene. However, Ricky's world soon turns upside down with the arrival of French Formula One Champion Jean Girard (outrageous Sacha Baron Cohen of "Ali G" fame), who has come to America not for Chinese food or pizza, but to beat Ricky Bobby on the NASCAR track. The gay Jean Girard loves jazz and reads Camusan obvious rival to our hero Ricky. The stage is set for stretching the bounds of Ricky's courage and character in his hysterical triumph over adversity. Basically, Ferrell has us laughing on the floor.
Adam McKay has everyone play it straight in this merciless comedy. This is Will Ferrell territory. Ferrell brings an unbelievable authenticity to Ricky Bobby. Every character choice he makes is dead on, funny, and never falters into caricature. Ferrell is amazingly earnest and completely bold as "the big hairy American Winning Machine". Watching Ferrell running in his underpants thinking that he is on fire speaks for itself. John C. Reily is awesome as Cal, Ricky's loyal driving partner and life-long bud. Reily's Cal is truly a partner to Ricky, a good simple man seeking a measure of validation. Reily gives Cal an ease and clueless charm. Leslie Bibb is hot, and nails her role as Carley, the "wife of a NASCAR driver". Jane Lynch is rock solid and hilarious as Ricky's supportive mom Lucy. Amy Adams is wacky charming as the woman who inspires: "Ricky Bobby is not a thinker. Ricky Bobby is a driver." Sacha Baron Cohen's accent alone as Jean Girard merits a medal. In character as Girard he is completely out therein a great way. Gary Cole is truly awesome as Ricky's dad Reese. His Reese is comically self absorbed finally surrendering to his paternal instincts, well kind of. His driving scenes with Ferrell will become classic.
Here is a curious aside: A number of critics point out that "Talladega Nights" has the most product placement shots of any movie, ever. Well, being that this is a satire of NASCAR, what is their point? Ricky Bobby should wear a "Funny" decal on his "Wonder Bread" racing jump suit. Because that is what "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby" is. Will Ferrell as Ricky Bobby is the American Laughing Machine. Ferrell and McKay definitely get it right. A clever funny script. Exacting classic comedic performances. All this makes "Talladega Nights" a winning time at the movies.