# Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby

> 2006 film by Adam McKay

**Wikidata**: [Q1421593](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1421593)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talladega_Nights:_The_Ballad_of_Ricky_Bobby)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/talladega-nights-the-ballad-of-ricky-bobby

## Summary
*Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby* is a 2006 comedy film directed by Adam McKay, starring Will Ferrell as the titular NASCAR driver. The movie is a satirical take on the world of professional racing, blending humor with sharp social commentary. It was produced by Apatow Productions and Relativity Media, marking McKay's directorial debut in a major studio film.

## Key Facts
- **Release Date**: July 26, 2006 (wide release)
- **Director**: Adam McKay (born 1968, American filmmaker)
- **Starring**: Will Ferrell as Ricky Bobby, John C. Reilly as Cal Naughton Jr., Sacha Baron Cohen as Jean Girard
- **Genre**: Comedy, LGBTQ-related film, action film
- **Production Companies**: Apatow Productions (inception 1999), Relativity Media (inception 2004)
- **Country of Origin**: United States
- **Runtime**: 108 minutes
- **IMDb ID**: tt0415306
- **Rotten Tomatoes Score**: 6.6/10
- **Metacritic Score**: 72%
- **Box Office**: $175.8 million worldwide
- **Awards**: Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay
- **Wikidata Description**: "2006 film by Adam McKay"
- **Wikipedia Sitelinks**: 35 (as of source material)

## FAQs
**What makes *Talladega Nights* unique in the comedy film genre?**
The film stands out for its blend of raunchy humor and sharp social satire, particularly in its portrayal of the NASCAR racing world and its underlying themes of ego, corruption, and LGBTQ+ representation. Its meta-commentary on the film industry itself adds another layer of self-awareness.

**Who are the main characters in the film, and what do they represent?**
Ricky Bobby (Will Ferrell) embodies the archetype of a washed-up, overconfident champion, while Cal Naughton Jr. (John C. Reilly) represents the underdog with a hidden talent. Jean Girard (Sacha Baron Cohen) serves as a satirical villain, highlighting the film's themes of homophobia and corporate greed.

**How did *Talladega Nights* perform at the box office and with critics?**
The film grossed $175.8 million worldwide, performing modestly but earning a Rotten Tomatoes score of 6.6/10 and a Metacritic score of 72%. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.

**What is the film’s relationship to its director, Adam McKay?**
Adam McKay directed *Talladega Nights*, marking his debut in a major studio film. He later became known for other comedic works like *The Other Guys* (2010) and the television series *Bad Judge* (2014).

**How does the film engage with themes of LGBTQ+ representation?**
The film includes a subplot involving a gay character (played by Baron Cohen) and a scene where Ricky Bobby’s wife (played by Amy Adams) is revealed to be a lesbian, offering a rare and humorous take on LGBTQ+ issues in a mainstream comedy.

## Why It Matters
*Talladega Nights* matters as a groundbreaking comedy that subverted expectations in the genre by blending crude humor with social commentary. It challenged traditional narratives in sports films by critiquing corporate greed, homophobia, and the pressure to maintain a public persona. The film’s success demonstrated that comedies could tackle serious issues without sacrificing entertainment value, influencing later works in the genre. Its meta-commentary on the film industry itself added a layer of self-awareness that resonated with audiences and critics alike. The movie’s portrayal of Ricky Bobby as a flawed, humanized protagonist also contributed to a shift in how underdog stories were told in Hollywood. Beyond its cultural impact, *Talladega Nights* is notable for its production value and the way it leveraged the talents of its cast and crew to create a memorable cinematic experience.

## Notable For
- **Academy Award Nomination**: Nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay (2007)
- **Box Office Performance**: Grossed $175.8 million worldwide
- **Satirical Depiction**: Critiqued corporate greed, homophobia, and the pressure to maintain a public persona
- **LGBTQ+ Representation**: Featured a subplot involving a gay character and a lesbian character, offering a rare and humorous take on LGBTQ+ issues in a mainstream comedy
- **Meta-Commentary**: Included self-referential humor about the film industry itself
- **Production Companies**: Produced by Apatow Productions and Relativity Media, two major players in the film industry
- **Director’s Debut**: Marked Adam McKay’s directorial debut in a major studio film
- **Cast Ensemble**: Featured a star-studded cast including Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, Sacha Baron Cohen, and Amy Adams
- **Cultural Impact**: Influenced later comedies by demonstrating that social themes could be integrated into raunchy humor without losing appeal

## Body
### Core Definition and Context
*Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby* is a 2006 comedy film directed by Adam McKay, starring Will Ferrell as the titular NASCAR driver. The movie is a satirical take on the world of professional racing, blending humor with sharp social commentary. It was produced by Apatow Productions and Relativity Media, marking McKay's directorial debut in a major studio film. The film follows Ricky Bobby, a washed-up NASCAR champion, as he struggles to maintain his image while facing a new rival, Cal Naughton Jr. (John C. Reilly), who is secretly a talented driver. The movie includes a subplot involving a gay character (Sacha Baron Cohen) and a scene where Ricky Bobby’s wife (Amy Adams) is revealed to be a lesbian, offering a rare and humorous take on LGBTQ+ issues in a mainstream comedy.

### Production and Release
The film was released on July 26, 2006, and grossed $175.8 million worldwide. It was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay, and earned a Rotten Tomatoes score of 6.6/10 and a Metacritic score of 72%. The movie’s production companies, Apatow Productions and Relativity Media, played significant roles in its development and distribution. The film’s runtime is 108 minutes, and it was shot in various locations, including Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama.

### Themes and Reception
*Talladega Nights* is notable for its blend of raunchy humor and social satire. The film critiques corporate greed, homophobia, and the pressure to maintain a public persona. Its meta-commentary on the film industry itself adds another layer of self-awareness. The movie’s success demonstrated that comedies could tackle serious issues without sacrificing entertainment value, influencing later works in the genre. Its portrayal of Ricky Bobby as a flawed, humanized protagonist also contributed to a shift in how underdog stories were told in Hollywood.

### Cast and Crew
The film features a star-studded cast, including Will Ferrell as Ricky Bobby, John C. Reilly as Cal Naughton Jr., Sacha Baron Cohen as Jean Girard, and Amy Adams as Ricky Bobby’s wife. The director, Adam McKay, later became known for other comedic works like *The Other Guys* (2010) and the television series *Bad Judge* (2014). The film’s production team included key figures from Apatow Productions and Relativity Media, two major players in the film industry.

### Cultural Impact
*Talladega Nights* is remembered for its groundbreaking approach to comedy films. It challenged traditional narratives in sports films by critiquing corporate greed, homophobia, and the pressure to maintain a public persona. The film’s success demonstrated that comedies could tackle serious issues without sacrificing entertainment value, influencing later works in the genre. Its portrayal of Ricky Bobby as a flawed, humanized protagonist also contributed to a shift in how underdog stories were told in Hollywood. The movie’s cultural impact is further evidenced by its Academy Award nomination and its continued relevance in discussions about comedy and satire.

### Related Works and Examples
The film’s success led to further collaborations between Adam McKay and Will Ferrell, including *The Other Guys* (2010). It also influenced the development of other comedies that blended humor with social commentary. The movie’s portrayal of the NASCAR racing world and its underlying themes of ego, corruption, and LGBTQ+ representation set a precedent for future works in the genre. Its meta-commentary on the film industry itself added a layer of self-awareness that resonated with audiences and critics alike.

### Distinction from Related Entities
While *Talladega Nights* shares elements with other sports comedies, its unique blend of raunchy humor and social satire sets it apart. The film’s focus on the NASCAR racing world and its underlying themes of ego, corruption, and LGBTQ+ representation distinguishes it from similar works. Its meta-commentary on the film industry itself adds another layer of self-awareness that is not commonly found in traditional sports comedies.

### Platform and Service Integration
The film is available on various streaming platforms, including Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu. It has also been released on DVD and Blu-ray. The movie’s availability on these platforms has contributed to its continued relevance and accessibility to audiences worldwide.

### Historical and Archival References
*Talladega Nights* is part of the broader canon of comedy films that have shaped the genre. It is referenced in discussions about the evolution of comedy and satire in film. The movie’s historical significance is further evidenced by its Academy Award nomination and its continued relevance in discussions about comedy and satire.

### Wikidata Query Equivalence
The film is represented in Wikidata with various properties, including its director, cast, genre, production companies, and awards. These properties provide a comprehensive overview of the film’s key facts and relationships. The film’s Wikidata entry is a valuable resource for understanding its significance and impact in the film industry.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0415306/)
2. [Source](http://www.adorocinema.com/filmes/filme-108828/)
3. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=108828.html)
4. [Source](http://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Talladega-Nights-The-Ballad-of-Ricky-Bobby)
5. [Source](http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/talladega-nights-ballad-ricky-bobby-2006-0)
6. [Source](http://www.interfilmes.com/filme_16096_Ricky.Bobby.A.Toda.Velocidade-(Talladega.Nights.The.Ballad.of.Ricky.Bobby).html)
7. [Source](http://www.metacritic.com/movie/talladega-nights-the-ballad-of-ricky-bobby)
8. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
9. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0415306/fullcredits)
10. The Movie Database
11. Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. Rotten Tomatoes
12. Freebase Data Dumps
13. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0415306/releaseinfo)
14. [Clayton Hartley - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0366812/#credits)
15. Kinopoisk
16. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/talladega-nights-the-legend-of-ricky-bobby/)
17. terjesztesre_kerulo_filmalkotasok_nyilvantartasa.xlsx
18. mymovies.it
19. Bechdel Test Movie List
20. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/4B73-6D0A-6A32-2BA2-DF5B-7)
21. TheTVDB
22. Trakt.tv
23. FilmVandaag.nl