OK Funny and surprisingly tender showcase for Knoxville

Rating: 5/10 (15 May 2006)

A nice comedy that takes a potentially home wrecking scenario and classes it up the best it can. While surely prompting offenses from the few bitter scabs that project their political correctness unto everything they cannot equate, The Ringer somehow manages to make a laugh out loud comedy, whose principle character mimics and exploits mental retardation, into a heartfelt, feel good process. Knoxville, following a predictable script, proves he has the chops to be a decent leading man in his natural performance, replacing his physical pranks of testicle smashing with more seasoned acts of subtlety. Knoxville fans needn't worry though, this film does a great job at showcasing the man's more traditional approach of goofiness and his new more refined delivery. I always knew that he was far more talented then that group of likable morons from the Jackass crew, and for all the massive beatings he's had to take to get to where he is, I wish him a successful career.