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94 MINUTES | OPENS DECEMBER 23: BOSTON COMMON + FENWAY + FRESH POND + CIRCLE/CHESTNUT HILL + SUBURBS The irreverent Farrelly Brothers executive-produce this comedy with heart that delves into seemingly taboo territory: the Special Olympics and the intellectually challenged. The good news is that the film handles its subject with care and sensitivity. The bad news is that it doesn’t have the teeth you'd expect from the Farrellys (There’s Something About Mary) or its star, Johnny Knoxville, who made his dime on Jackass. Knoxville’s Steve Baker is an office peon who accidentally, through an act of kindness, is responsible for a janitor’s losing most of his hand. The necessary operation costs more than Steve has, so he and his gambling-addicted uncle (Brian Cox) decide to fix the Special Olympics with Steve posing as an entrant named Jeffy Dahmer (a lame allusion to the serial killer). Actual Special Olympics athletes fill out the ensemble and score some of the better lines. Katherine Heigl (Grey’s Anatomy) is matronly as the caretaker/love interest, and director Barry W. Blaustein keeps the predictable material, well, predictable.
BY TOM MEEK
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