Will Ferrell: 5 Awesome Performances And 5 That Sucked

4. Rick Bobby - Talladega Nights: The Ballad Of Ricky Bobby (2006)

Talladega Nights' hero Ricky Bobby is an ignorant NASCAR driver who believes in fast living, fast food and fast driving. He proclaims patriotism when it isn't relevant, bullies gay men and holds grudges with all his might. He's the archetypal bull-headed famous American who essentially does what he wants. And when it all comes crashing down, well, he just sulks until someone clears it all up for him. Ferrell plays the arrogant Ricky Bobby spot on, turning him into the spoiled, overgrown kid who yells hilarious stuff with a straight face and perfectly captures the kind of person the film is poking fun at: overly American Americans, oblivious to how silly they might look to someone else. But as deadpan as his performance is, Ferrell is again the most watchable actor here, a comedian acting simultaneously as his own straight guy, as well as the straight guy to the film's more ridiculous performances (while still being funnier than all of them put together). That's not a balance many actors can keep up for an entire film, but Ferrell makes it look like anyone can do it. During the high points of Ricky's life, Ferrell makes it feel like the character could live forever, and judging by his performance in Talladega Nights, I'm convinced that every minute of that would be entertaining.