Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby

Courtesy: Galatta
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Talladega Nights is the story of Nascar racing sensation Ricky Bobby (Will Ferrell), whose win at all costs approach has made him a national hero.

The hilarious movie has good laugh elements with the introduction of the family. The movie begins with Reese Bobby (Gary Cole) leaving his wife, Lucy (Jane Lynch) and son Ricky Bobby (Will Ferrell) in order to pursue his racing dreams.

Ricky Bobby and his childhood friend Cal Naughton Jr. (John C. Reilly) enter the racing arena working for the careless driver Terry Cheveaux. One day Cheveaux makes an unscheduled pit stop during a race in order to help himself with a chicken sandwich. Ricky makes use of this opportunity and jumps into the car and finishes the race.

Thus begins his career as a car racer. He had always dreamt to be a fast racer. Very soon he becomes one of NASCAR's top stars. "His win at all cost" attitude helps him to become a national hero. He is joined by his friends - the notably large crew included Chief Lucius Washington (Michael Clarke Duncan), a trio of loyal crew members, Herschell (David Koechner), Kyle (Ian Roberts) and Glenn (Jack McBrayer) and his best pal Cal Naughton Jr. They together form a team named Dennit Racing headed by wealthy Dennit Senior (Pat Hingle) and his grouchy son, Dennit Junior (Greg Germann). Dennit Senior feels jealous of Ricky Bobby.

Ricky Bobby gets married to the gorgeous Carley (Leslie Bibb) and starts living in a palatial mansion with his wife and two foul-mouthed, spoiled sons Walker (Houston Tumlin) and Texas Ranger (Grayson Russel). He strives to drive fast and to be at the pinnacle. He always focuses on his father's saying "If you ain't first, you're last".

The movie seems to be more comical as Ricky thanks Jesus, he and wife Carley argue over whether he should be praying to baby Jesus or full-grown Jesus.

His life changes when his team head Greg hires a French driver, Jean Girard (Sacha Baron Cohen) to challenge Ricky for the title. Jean is a champion Formula One driver who enjoys jazz, wearing black leather, being sponsored by Perrier and reads Camus' "The Stranger" while driving. Girard is also a gay man who enjoys crepes and joins the Dennit team in America specifically to challenge Ricky Bobby's supremacy.

The movie begins its descent into mediocrity when a scary crash sends Ricky Bobby to the hospital and Ricky falls on hard times. He turns back on racing and takes his sons to his small hometown to live with his mother.

His mother grudgingly turns to her old man for help - Reese Bobby. The movie receives jerk with the reappearance of Reese. It's up to Reese to train Ricky and help him conquer his fear of driving. He needs to help Ricky to emerge as a Superstar again.

Ferrell stays gamely behind the wheel. His performance is really appreciable. The audiences will feel hard to resist their laughs at the antics of the NASCAR racing champion.

This fast paced, comedy plays out just the way Ferrell and McKay intend it to, capturing the most humorous side of the nation's favorite sport. For those whole enjoy the NASCAR sport it is a "not to be missed" movie, so do watch it.!

Cast: Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, Sacha Baron Cohen, Gary Cole, Michael Clarke Duncan, Leslie Bibb, Jane
Genre: Action, Comedy and Sport
Director: Adam McKay
Producer: Jimmy Miller, Judd Apatow
Writer: Adam McKay, Will Ferrell