Glad I didn't spend $ on this

Rating: 1/10 (30 December 2006)

A friend let me borrow the DVD...thank goodness. As many reviews have already stated, this film meanders without much attention to a script or development of characters.
It is difficult to like a film in which the protagonist is so unlikable. And Ricky Bobby is one of the most detestable main characters I have seen in a comedy in a long time. I am shocked that so many "Southerners" have commented that they "got the joke." I'm not so sure they did, cuz the joke's mostly on them.
It becomes more difficult to digest when you find yourself rooting for the antagonist, in this case a French (and openly gay) driver from Formula One. I really really wanted Ricky Bobby to get his clock cleaned on and off the track, and I actually clapped when Gerard beat him.
And don't get me started on the two children...ridiculous...the grandfather "bashing" scene was NOT funny...it was uncomfortable. That crossed a line for me.
Some reviewers have spoken of Talladega Nights as "Liberal" trash because of a pro-gay, anti-Jesus message. I disagree. The film actually works better the other way around...However, that said, it seems that everyone involved in this film was too busy trying to be stupid to have any kind of message.