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TALLADEGA NIGHTS Send This Review to a Friend
The world of NASCAR is turned on its head in this dopey but sometimes funny movie about car racing. Macho tradition is tossed out the window when one of the star drivers, a Frenchman named Jean Girard and played with pursed-lips by Sacha Baron Cohen (Ali G on TV), is depicted as living with a male partner. The macho American in the title, Ricky Bobby, played with comic nuttiness by Will Ferrell, eventually shows his respect for his French adversary by planting a lengthy kiss on his lips right at the track. This is NASCAR? Girard wants a repeat, but Bobby has his limits.
Ferrell co-wrote the screenplay with director Adam McKay. It’s a story that takes Bobby from childhood when he longs to go fast to his adult racing prowess, through an accident that disables his motive to drive and ultimately, of course, to his return to the driver’s seat. In addition to his French adversary, he must compete with his old pal Cal, played as the dunderhead Cal is by John C. Reilly. Cal is the type who can steal Bobby’s blonde racing groupie wife Carley (Leslie Bibb) without thinking he’s done anything wrong.
The idiotic plot is played out in the midst of track fever and speedway mayhem that provide background authenticity, obtained with NASCAR cooperation. Special effects play a major part in order to depict the requisite crashes. “Talladega Nights” bristles with action, but its heart lies in comedy, stressed with a series of outtakes under the end credits.
Ferrell and Reilly can be very funny guys, and are abetted by Cohen, whose French accent and persona earn further laughs. The filmmakers have the savvy to use the gay angle as a counterpoint to everyone’s impression of how macho the NASCAR world is supposed to be.
Obviously, this isn’t a film for those who like their comedy more sophisticated. But even they may find a few laughs if they find themselves trapped in “Talladega Nights.” A Columbia Pictures release.
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