Mark your calendars for 23 December and join in the fun by taking some time out to visit your local theater and see The Ringer.
On 23 December 2005, The Ringer, a film starring Johnny Knoxville, opens in theaters across the United States and Canada. The latest fearless comedy from producers the Farrelly Brothers (There’s Something About Mary, Dumb & Dumber, Shallow Hal) asks the question: Can a comedy be off-the-wall, irreverently indelicate and yet ... inspirational? The Ringer spikes the uproarious with the uplifting in a story about an ordinary man who discovers what it truly means to be “special” when he attempts to “fix” the Special Olympics.
The Ringer also tells the Special Olympics story in a new way, challenging destructive stereotypes and negative thinking – especially prevalent among young people – about people with intellectual disabilities. Says Special Olympics Chairman Tim Shriver: "Beyond improving the lives of our athletes on the playing field, a key goal of Special Olympics is to change attitudes of nondisabled young people about people with intellectual disabilities, dispelling negative stereotypes. Humor can be a very effective way to reach young people and the Farrellys are masters of both."
Special Olympics Florida athlete and actor Eddie Barbanell, who portrays Billy in The Ringer, says, “This movie does not mock people with intellectual disabilities. When you see this movie, laugh with us, not at us. See us as human beings and people just like you and watch us showcase our talents.”
In addition to Barbanell, the film features Special Olympics Texas athletes Leonard Flowers as Jimmy – the athlete to beat, Janna Ambort as Karen, Nicole Bradley as Yolie and many more athletes and volunteers from the Austin area where the movie was filmed. See the “Making of The Ringer” for more on the production of the film. |
