September 04, 2006

MOVIES: Talladega Nights (Adam McKay, 2006)

Will Ferrell stars as Ricky Bobby, whose dominance of the NASCAR circuit is threatened by the arrogant French driver Jean Girard (Sacha Baron Cohen). There are some funny moments to be had here, and no one commits to silliness as thoroughly as Ferrell, but the movie drags on for far too long, and Baron Cohen is dismally unfunny.

The best performances come from the supporting cast. Jane Lynch and Gary Cole as Ricky's parents, Greg Germann and Molly Shannon as Ricky's chief corporate sponsor and his lush of a wife, John C. Reilly as sidekick (and perennial #2 finisher) Cal Naughton Jr. -- all are spot-on, and none outstay their welcome.

Baron Cohen's performance as the gay French driver, on the other hand, cripples the movie; it's a collection of insulting stereotypes and tired cliches, delivered in a bad imitation of Peter Sellers' Inspector Clouseau accent. He's painful to watch, and he shows up just often enough to keep the movie from ever developing any real momentum.

A disappointment.

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