The Ringer

The Ringer (2005) is a comedy directed by Barry W. Blaustein — watch it online on iFILM. Johnny Knoxville plays Steve Barker, a broke and desperate guy who lets his scheming uncle, played by Brian Cox, talk him into something unconscionable: fake a disability, enter the Special Olympics, and pocket the prize money. The plan falls apart fast.

What saves this from being mean-spirited is where it goes once Steve is caught. His fellow competitors see through him immediately and then decide to use him anyway, on their own terms. The film was made with the blessing of Special Olympics International, which tells you something about how it handles its subject. Katherine Heigl shows up as a love interest, and the tone stays more warm than sharp. Stream The Ringer (2005) on iFILM.