Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
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.
What critics thought
A broadly well-received but uneven comedy, Talladega Nights works best as a NASCAR-flavored satire that genuinely loves its target while poking fun at it. Critics found the racing sequences a highlight, but several noted the film loses momentum as it goes on — funnier in bursts than as a sustained whole.
“Simultaneously teasing and loving a subject doesn't make for easy comedy, but writer-star Will Ferrell and director/co-writer Adam McKay pull it off with good-ol'-boy good nature in Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.”
Robert Koehler·Variety
“The races are scorchingly shot, and they lend the movie a zest that was missing from Anchorman”
Owen Gleiberman·Entertainment Weekly
“From its pitch-perfect title through just about every detail, this sendup of sports-triumph movies maintains the right parodic pitch, if not always the highest mph on the laugh speedometer.”
Sheri Linden·The Hollywood Reporter
“Forget the recent blips; Ferrell is back in freewheeling form. More than just the year's funniest film, Talladega Nights is one of the best films of the year.”
Total Film
Genres
Comedy
Cast & Crew
Adam McKayDirector
Will FerrellRicky Bobby
John C. ReillyCal Naughton, Jr.
Sacha Baron CohenJean Girard
Gary ColeReese Bobby
Leslie BibbCarley Bobby
Michael Clarke DuncanLucius Washington
Jane LynchLucy Bobby
Amy AdamsSusan
Greg GermannLarry Dennit Jr.
Molly ShannonMrs. Dennit
David KoechnerHershell
Jack McBrayerGlenn
Alex WurmanComposerWill FerrellWriter
Oliver WoodCinematographyTalladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
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.
What critics thought
A broadly well-received but uneven comedy, Talladega Nights works best as a NASCAR-flavored satire that genuinely loves its target while poking fun at it. Critics found the racing sequences a highlight, but several noted the film loses momentum as it goes on — funnier in bursts than as a sustained whole.
“Simultaneously teasing and loving a subject doesn't make for easy comedy, but writer-star Will Ferrell and director/co-writer Adam McKay pull it off with good-ol'-boy good nature in Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.”
Robert Koehler·Variety
“The races are scorchingly shot, and they lend the movie a zest that was missing from Anchorman”
Owen Gleiberman·Entertainment Weekly
“From its pitch-perfect title through just about every detail, this sendup of sports-triumph movies maintains the right parodic pitch, if not always the highest mph on the laugh speedometer.”
Sheri Linden·The Hollywood Reporter
“Forget the recent blips; Ferrell is back in freewheeling form. More than just the year's funniest film, Talladega Nights is one of the best films of the year.”
Total Film
Genres
Comedy
Cast & Crew
Adam McKayDirectorWill FerrellRicky BobbyJohn C. ReillyCal Naughton, Jr.Sacha Baron CohenJean GirardGary ColeReese BobbyLeslie BibbCarley BobbyMichael Clarke DuncanLucius WashingtonJane LynchLucy BobbyAmy AdamsSusanGreg GermannLarry Dennit Jr.Molly ShannonMrs. DennitDavid KoechnerHershellJack McBrayerGlennAlex WurmanComposerWill FerrellWriterOliver WoodCinematography