WHO MADE IT? * Writer: Rick Blitt Director: Barry W. Blaustein Cast: Johnny Knoxville, Brian Cox, Katherine Heigl, Geoffrey Arend, Edward Barbanell, Bill Chott * WHAT’S IT ABOUT? * Steve Barker (Johnny Knoxville) is such a nice guy that he employs his company’s janitor, Stavi (luis Avalos) as his gardener, when the latter loses his job. While Stavi is mowing the lawn, he severs his own digits. It costs 28000 to fix Stavi’s fingers and he doesn’t have a medical insurance. Taking responsibility, Steve enlists the help of his smarmy uncle Gary (Brian Cox), a gambler, who is also burdened by heavy debts. Gary comes up with a ploy. He convinces Steve to cheat his way into the Special Olympics and bets on him to win. Reluctantly, Steve agrees. He changes his name to Jeffy and developes a slurred speech that helps him to get into the Special Olympic. There he meets a Special Olympic volunteer Lynn (Katherine Heigl) and falls in love with her. He also develops a strong friendship with the Special athletes and discovers that they are truly ‘special’. * WHAT’S IT LIKE? * Going to see a Farrely brothers film with Johnny Knoxville you would expect an outrageous and daring comedy, but this film was far from that. It definitely can’t be an adult comedy but rather a feel-good movie that will appeal more to families. I understand that the Farrely brothers wanted this film to convey a message that will change our perception of disabled people. I think that they have certainly achieved that. The disabled guys here, unlike in other films, were likable, fun and entertaining even more fun than the able characters. The problem is that the film went so far in being subtle and informative that it missed what it sought, as we were told, to be: funny. * Nationwide Release 24 March 2006
