Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006)
Directed by Adam McKay
The fastest man on four wheels, Ricky Bobby, is one of the greatest drivers in NASCAR history. A big, hairy American winning machine, Ricky has everything a dimwitted daredevil could want, a luxurious mansion, a smokin' hot wife, and all the fast food he can eat. But Ricky's turbo-charged lifestyle hits an unexpected speed bump when he's bested by flamboyant Euro-idiot Jean Girard and reduced to a fear-ridden wreck.
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What critics say influenced Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby is Hollywood's first NASCAR comedy since Stroker Ace (1983), a much-maligned box-office flop that began Burt Reynolds' decline in popularity.
Her over-the-top pep talk is oddly reminiscent of Samuel L. Jackson's stirring speech in Deep Blue Sea.
More than just a Days Of Thunder spoof (a plaintive cry of "Help me, Tom Cruise!" notwithstanding), Talladega Nights showcases Will Ferrell's comedy genius to perfection.
Leslie Bibb is all she should be as Ricky's glossy blond trophy wife, Carley; Jane Lynch stands up for comic sanity as Ricky's hardscrabble mom, Lucy Bobby; and Amy Adams, in a departure from "Junebug," plays Ricky's loyal assistant Susan.
For my money, the most energetic comedic moment comes not from Ferrell but from Amy Adams (Junebug).
And a surprising pep talk by Oscar-nominee Amy Adams ( Junebug ), who portrays Rickys shy assistant, is a real show-stopper.
For me the biggest revelation here was Amy Adams, whose been good in movies like Junebug, but never funny.
Two more burgeoning stars require mentioning: Amy Adams , who was nominated for an Oscar last year in Phil Morrison's " Junebug ," has a delightfully sexy turn as Ricky Bobby's assistant, Susan.
And Amy Adams stars as Rickyâs neglected assistant; itâs a role so small that she mustâve signed on before Junebug took her to the Oscars.
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The smoldering Cole plays Reese Bobby, Ricky's wastrel dad, and the supremely likable Reilly reprises his Boogie Nights role as the loyal if dimwitted best bud of the superstar hero.
Director
Christopher Guest
Critics compare Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby to 2 of Guest’s films.
Cole as Ricky’s father, plus the superb Jane Lynch (“ The 40-Year-Old Virgin ,” “Best in Show”) as Ricky’s mother?
His shiftless, beer-drinkin', pot-smokin', ramblin' dad Reese Bobby ( Gary Cole -- as good as he was in " Office Space ") is, of course, mostly off cruisin' down the highway, so he's raised by his formerly wild-gal mom, Lucy (the magnificent Jane Lynch , from " The 40-Year-Old Virgin " and "Best in Show").
Casting is key, with veteran improv actors like Sacha Baron Cohen (“Da Ali G Show,” “Borat”), Gary Cole (“Office Space,” “Dodgeball”), and Jane Lynch (“Best in Show,” “A Mighty Wind”) riffing right alongside Oscar nominees like John C. Reilly (“Chicago”) and Amy Adams (“Junebug”).
Casting is key, with veteran improv actors like Sacha Baron Cohen (“Da Ali G Show,” “Borat”), Gary Cole (“Office Space,” “Dodgeball”), and Jane Lynch (“Best in Show,” “A Mighty Wind”) riffing right alongside Oscar nominees like John C. Reilly (“Chicago”) and Amy Adams (“Junebug”).
His shiftless, beer-drinkin', pot-smokin', ramblin' dad Reese Bobby ( Gary Cole -- as good as he was in " Office Space ") is, of course, mostly off cruisin' down the highway, so he's raised by his formerly wild-gal mom, Lucy (the magnificent Jane Lynch , from " The 40-Year-Old Virgin " and "Best in Show").
Names like Gary Cole, Office Space's Boss from Hell, who rocks the house as Ferrell's shiftless dad.
Casting is key, with veteran improv actors like Sacha Baron Cohen (“Da Ali G Show,” “Borat”), Gary Cole (“Office Space,” “Dodgeball”), and Jane Lynch (“Best in Show,” “A Mighty Wind”) riffing right alongside Oscar nominees like John C. Reilly (“Chicago”) and Amy Adams (“Junebug”).
Gary Cole (Lumbergh from Office Space) is great as Ricky's dad and the scene with the cougar is priceless.
Cole as Ricky’s father, plus the superb Jane Lynch (“ The 40-Year-Old Virgin ,” “Best in Show”) as Ricky’s mother?
His shiftless, beer-drinkin', pot-smokin', ramblin' dad Reese Bobby ( Gary Cole -- as good as he was in " Office Space ") is, of course, mostly off cruisin' down the highway, so he's raised by his formerly wild-gal mom, Lucy (the magnificent Jane Lynch , from " The 40-Year-Old Virgin " and "Best in Show").
Or Jane Lynch -- last seen freaking out Steve Carell with details of her deflowering in The 40-Year-Old Virgin -- as Ferrell's cheerfully mordant mother.
Pretty soon, our hero's delivering pizzas -- on a bicycle -- and seeking refuge with his steadfast mama (improv expert Jane Lynch of "The 40-Year-Old Virgin").
Producer Judd Apatow (The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Freaks and Geeks) and director and co-writer Adam McKay (Anchorman) make sure that your high expectations are met.
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If you have enjoyed this type of humor in the past ( Anchorman , Old School , Wedding Crashers , etc.) or you just enjoy the humor in the sport of NASCAR, then Talladega Nights is of the “not to be missed” variety.
That being said, Ferrell running around practically naked (see his leprechaun getup on Late Night With Conan O'Brien a few years ago, or the streaking scene in Old School) is good for a laugh once per film, and Talladega delivers on that score—he's naked and he thinks he's on fire.
Streaking in “Old School” was one thing (though everyone knows Luke Wilson was that movie’s heart and soul), but no one needs to see him in his tighty whiteys ever again, never mind twice in the same movie.
Will Ferrell's starring vehicles are explorations of the beleaguered American male: the aging Frat Guy of Old School, the infantilized corporate drone in Elf, the musky male chauvenist Ron Burgundy, the emasculated Ditka-fearing soccer dad of Kicking and Screaming.
Will Ferrell and Adam McKay have responded to the call of “give me more of that” heard ’round the world after the success of Anchorman and Old School, but they haven’t done anything else.