Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006)

Number one NASCAR driver Ricky Bobby stays atop the heap thanks to a pact with his best friend and teammate, Cal Naughton, Jr. But when a French Formula One driver, makes his way up the ladder, Ricky Bobby's talent and devotion are put to the test.

Director:

Adam McKay

Writers:

Will Ferrell, Adam McKay

Stars:

Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, Sacha Baron Cohen

8 wins & 9 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Will Ferrell	...	Ricky Bobby
John C. Reilly	...	Cal Naughton Jr.
Sacha Baron Cohen	...	Jean Girard
Gary Cole	...	Reese Bobby
Michael Clarke Duncan	...	Lucius Washington
Leslie Bibb	...	Carley Bobby
Jane Lynch	...	Lucy Bobby
Amy Adams	...	Susan
Andy Richter	...	Gregory
Molly Shannon	...	Mrs. Dennit
Greg Germann	...	Larry Dennit Jr.
David Koechner	...	Hershell
Jack McBrayer	...	Glenn
Ian Roberts	...	Kyle
Pat Hingle	...	Mr. Dennit Sr.

Storyline

NASCAR stock car racing sensation Ricky Bobby is a national hero because of his "win at all costs" approach. He and his loyal racing partner, childhood friend Cal Naughton Jr., are a fearless duo -- "Shake" and "Bake" by their fans for their ability to finish so many races in the #1 and #2 positions, with Cal always in second place. When flamboyant French Formula One driver Jean Girard challenges "Shake" and "Bake" for the supremacy of NASCAR, Ricky Bobby must face his own demons and fight Girard for the right to be known as racing's top driver.

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Plot Keywords:

racing | nascar | friend | french | car racing | 

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Taglines:

The story of a man who could only count to #1

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Genres:

Action | Comedy | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for crude and sexual humor, language, drug references and brief comic violence

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Pictures [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

4 August 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

High, Wide, and Handsome

Filming Locations:

Lowe's Motor Speedway, 5555 Concord Pkwy S, Concord, North Carolina, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$72,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$47,042,215, 6 August 2006, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$148,213,377

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$162,966,177

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures, Relativity Media, Apatow Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min 122 min (unrated)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS (8 channels) DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Gary Cole and Jane Lynch portray Will Ferrell's parents despite being only eleven and seven years older than him, respectively.

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Goofs

NASCAR Formula one and Indy cars don't drive backwards they are pushed.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Reese Bobby: [Reese is speeding] Guess how fast we're going now!
Lucy Bobby: [screams] I don't care! I'm having a baby!
Reese Bobby: Hundred and five miles an hour! Can you believe that!

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Crazy Credits

After the credits, there is a scene where "Walker" and "Texas Ranger" are reading with Ricky Bobby's mom and discussing symbolism in William Faulkner's "The Bear".

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Connections

References The Lion King (1994)

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Soundtracks

T.N.T.
(1992)
Written by Angus Young, Malcolm Young and Bon Scott (as Bon Scott)
Published by J. Albert & Son (USA) Inc.
Performed by AC/DC
Courtesy of Epic Records
By Arrangement with Sony BMG Music Entertainment

User Reviews

Great Lampoon of NASCAR- Best Comedy of 2006

This movie does something that is rarely done successfully done, pokes fun at the modern NASCAR circuit. Without detailing all the gags, this is pure fun which doesn't offend the tastes too often. Will Farrell is patently absurd as Ricky Bobby & the support he receives in this film from the entire cast is excellent. Gary Cole is very solid as Ricky's dad, & so is Jane Lynch as his mom. Amy Adams is solid too. In fact, the entire cast including John C. Reilly seems to have been fit into their roles like gloves.

Sasha Cohen comes off better in this as Ricky Bobbys French nemesis than he does in even Borat. He is used perfectly & fits his role really well. The story line works really well as the evolution from speed too shake & bake too magic man & me helps keep the film focused on something besides the jokes. There is just enough plot to hang the jokes on.

The script is lots of fun with references to lots of things besides NASCAR & Sex (which is all too often the only thing done as comedy today). This film proves that outrageous is much better than sex when done right as comedy. Thank goodness this is much better than the ill conceived BETWITCHED Farrell did in 2005. This film is really an excellent showcase for everyone involved. If your a NASCAR fan, you should even get some extra fun out of this one.

Get ready for the checkered flag Ricky Booby, this film is a winner all the way.