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:

slapstick comedy | racing | nascar | friend | french | 

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Taglines:

No One Can Handle The Curves, The Speed, The Heat, Like Ricky Bobby

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Genres:

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 Corporation,Relativity Media,Apatow Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min 122 min (unrated)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS (8 channels) DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The pace car used in the final race after the crash is a blue Ford Mustang GT with white, over-the-top Indy racing stripes.

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Goofs

In Ricky's first crash there is a car that swerves sideways and looks as if it is going to hit Bobby on the side. In the next shot the car is past Ricky's car and going straight down the road.

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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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Alternate Versions

In the theatre version of the film, when Ricky goes to Jean's house, he is introduced to Elvis Costello and Mos Def (as Jean's brother-in-law), but in other versions, Ricky is not introduced and when he asks if it is really them, Jean simply says, "No".

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Connections

Referenced in Indie Sex: Censored (2007)

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Soundtracks

Symphony No. 102 in B Flat Major: Adagio
(1794)
Written by Franz Joseph Haydn (as Franz Joseph Haydn)
Performed by Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by Jane Glover (uncredited)

User Reviews

an entirely solid follow-up

Two summers ago, Will Ferrell and director Adam McKay teamed up for Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, the best display of improvisational comedy on screen since Christopher Guest (Best in Show, A Mighty Wind) entered the scene. This summer, the pair re-teamed for a sort of quasi-sequel as evidenced by the colon and "The Legend of" in the title. Will Ferrell stars as moderately dim-witted race car driver Ricky Bobby who differs from Anchorman's protagonist Ron Burgundy in that he is a more fully-fleshed out character. His need for speed on the track is guided by a void left by his race car driving dad's (Gary Cole's) abandonment. Along for the ride is the ever-so-versatile John C. Riley as perennial sidekick Cal Naughton Jr. who literally finishes second to him in every race. He suggests to his buddy maybe, just once, he can let him win just once to which Ricky Bobby replies, "Well I see where you're coming from but if you win, how am I gonna win."

Talladega is more likable to its subject than a strict satire, because it firmly implants itself in the Nascar world and picks on its more absurd elements. In particular, the heavy emphasis on sponsorship in NASCAR takes a heavy beating with things like Ricky Bobby being contractually obligated to include Powerade in his grace. The ensemble of characters doesn't produce that same energy that Anchorman had, but Talladega Nights did have some priceless bits of humor and it works just as well, perhaps even better, as a feel-good movie.