Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006)

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Director:

Adam McKay

Writers (WGA):

Will Ferrell (written by) &
Adam McKay (written by)

Release Date:

4 August 2006 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Comedy | Sport

Tagline:

The story of a man who could only count to #1

Plot:

#1 NASCAR driver Ricky Bobby (Ferrell) stays atop the heap thanks to a pact with his best friend and teammate, Cal Naughton, Jr. (Reilly). But when a French Formula One driver (Cohen), makes his way up the ladder, Ricky Bobby's talent and devotion are put to the test.

Plot Keywords:

Nascar | Racing | French | Friend | Car Racing

Awards:

6 wins & 4 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Thur. Nov. 19	9:00 PM	TBS
Fri. Nov. 20	3:00 AM	TBS

Cast

Gary Cole	...	Reese Bobby
Jane Lynch	...	Lucy Bobby
Jason Davis	...	Waffle House Manager
Lorrie Bess Crumley	...	Schoolteacher
Luke Bigham	...	10-Year-Old Ricky
Austin Crim	...	10-Year-Old Cal (as Austin Crimm)
Michael Clarke Duncan	...	Lucius Washington
Will Ferrell	...	Ricky Bobby
John C. Reilly	...	Cal Naughton Jr.
Adam McKay	...	Terry Cheveaux
David Koechner	...	Hershell
Ian Roberts	...	Kyle
Jack McBrayer	...	Glenn
John D. King	...	ESPN Reporter
Pat Hingle	...	Mr. Dennit Sr.

Also Known As:

High, Wide, and Handsome (USA) (working title)
Talladega Nights (USA) (working title)
Untitled Will Ferrell NASCAR Comedy (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for crude and sexual humor, language, drug references and brief comic violence.

Runtime:

108 min | 122 min (unrated version) | Argentina:121 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | SDDS (8 channels) | DTS

Certification:

UK:12A | Australia:M | USA:PG-13 (certificate #42008) | Ireland:12A | Singapore:M18 | Singapore:PG (edited version) | Sweden:7 | Finland:K-11 | Argentina:13 | Germany:12 | Portugal:M/12 | UK:15 (DVD rating) | Ireland:15 (DVD rating) | Netherlands:12 | Malaysia:U | South Korea:15 | Denmark:7 | New Zealand:M | Norway:10 (TV rating) | Norway:11 (DVD rating)

Filming Locations:

Charlotte, North Carolina, USA

Company:

Apatow Productions

Trivia:

The young woman who plays the artist during the brunch scene at the French driver's house is actually the artist of that painting. She was commissioned to do the painting and was then asked if she would play the artist in the film.

Goofs:

Factual errors: NASCAR did not implement the double file restarts for lead lap cars until midway through the 2009 season. Since Ricky Bobby and Jean Girard were both still on the lead lap, Ricky Bobby would have had to line up behind Girard since he was in second place when the caution flag came out. Ricky would have been black flagged for lining up that way, meaning he could not have won the race, even if he had crossed the line before Girard.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Reese Bobby: [Reese is speeding] Guess how fast were going now.
Lucy Bobby: [screams] I don't care, I'm having a baby!
Reese Bobby: Hundred and five miles an hour, you believe that?

Movie Connections:

References The Sound of Music (1965)

Soundtrack:

Click Click Boom

Great Lampoon of NASCAR- Best Comedy of 2006

This movie does something that is rarely done successfully done, pokes fun at the modern NASCAR circuit. Without detailing all the gags, this is pure fun which doesn't offend the tastes too often. Will Farrell is patently absurd as Ricky Bobby & the support he receives in this film from the entire cast is excellent. Gary Cole is very solid as Ricky's dad, & so is Jane Lynch as his mom. Amy Adams is solid too. In fact, the entire cast including John C. Reilly seems to have been fit into their roles like gloves.

Sasha Cohen comes off better in this as Ricky Bobbys French nemesis than he does in even Borat. He is used perfectly & fits his role really well. The story line works really well as the evolution from speed too shake & bake too magic man & me helps keep the film focused on something besides the jokes. There is just enough plot to hang the jokes on.

The script is lots of fun with references to lots of things besides NASCAR & Sex (which is all too often the only thing done as comedy today). This film proves that outrageous is much better than sex when done right as comedy. Thank goodness this is much better than the ill conceived BETWITCHED Farrell did in 2005. This film is really an excellent showcase for everyone involved. If your a NASCAR fan, you should even get some extra fun out of this one.

Get ready for the checkered flag Ricky Booby, this film is a winner all the way.