~ The film is about a man who pretends to be mentally disabled in order to rig the events.

The Special Olympics Missouri endorses "The Ringer" so much that it says on its official Web site and in its automated voice message to "grab your popcorn and head to your local movie theater" to see the movie.

While critics' reviews range from "sweet" and "endearing" to "offensive" and "unfunny," some local residents expect the movie, which was released Dec. 23, will at least raise awareness for the Special Olympics.

Some expect to laugh, while others already have.

The comedy stars Johnny Knoxville -- who will be in Cape Girardeau next month filming "Killshot" -- as Steve Barker, a man who pretends to be mentally disabled in order to rig the Special Olympics and win money to pay off other people's debts.

Miki Gudermuth, executive director of the SEMO Alliance for Disability Independence, said that people have become so politically correct that they cannot laugh at themselves anymore. The 57-year-old lives with lifelong effects from childhood polio.

"I've never seen anyone with a disability depicted in movies as a negative," she said, rather the characters have overcome their disabilities, such as "Forrest Gump" and "The Hunchback of Notre Dame."

Katie McLain, executive director of Special Olympics in St. Louis, saw the movie two weeks before its release.

The movie, she said, shows the lives of Special Olympians in a way that is sensitive to their hardships yet reveals that the athletes often understand their social and physical circumstances better than people give them credit for.

What McLain didn't expect was the humor, she said.

"It was hilarious," said McLain, who admitted that she and her friends are still quoting the movie's jokes. "Working with Special Olympians from day to day, I see that humor every day, and it's great to see it up on the big screen."

Local Special Olympics executive director Penny Williams said she plans to see the movie for the first time today. At the very least, she hopes that "The Ringer" will raise both an awareness about the athletic program and a desire for people to become more involved.

jmetelski@semissourian.com