Ricky Stanicky releases to Prime on March 7, 2024.

Peter Farrelly is an oddly controversial filmmaker. I say oddly because we’re talking about the writer-director of very popular films like Dumb and Dumber or the highly awarded Green Book – I maintain my potentially hot take that it’s one of the best drama-comedies of the last decade – but the general opinion surrounding Farrelly isn’t as positive as I expected. Personally, his sense of humor fits perfectly with the type of comedy I appreciate most, so I was naturally excited for Ricky Stanicky.

The premise is similar to so many others that have captivated audiences all around the world – notably The Hangover saga. Ricky Stanicky is the title of the movie, but also of an imaginary friend invented by a trio of childhood friends as someone they could use to deflect the blame for their misbehavior or serve as an excuse to skip uninteresting, boring events. Essentially, he was a scapegoat for everything that didn’t please Dean (Zac Efron), Wes (Jermaine Fowler), and JT (Andrew Santino). Of course, inevitable circumstances lead their respective families to want to meet Ricky in person, forcing the friends to hire Rod (John Cena), an unknown, alcoholic, broke actor, to bring to life a character with decades of complex lies.

Ricky Stanicky Critique

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Through this last paragraph, one can anticipate a structurally and narratively predictable story. Ricky Stanicky won’t surprise any viewers, but it will hardly fail to leave the vast majority with a smile from ear to ear as they leave the cinema – or, in this case, the couch at home. Farrelly once again delivers on the promise of a light, extremely entertaining flick, but without forgetting to convey an important, albeit simple and unambitious, message about the impact of willpower on personal change and human evolution.

Ricky Stanicky explicitly addresses how human beings complicate their ability to be good people. Whether it’s participating in volunteering activities, being nice to someone, or even giving up vices – the latter point is evidently more complex than others – many people simply “pretend” it’s impossible to be better versions of themselves to avoid going through a phase of change that includes admitting past mistakes and the “mental frauds” that have marked their lives.

Ricky is, for all intents and purposes, the main protagonist of this story, even though Efron’s character has more screen time and is clearly the face of the movie. Truth is, Ricky Stanicky stands out due to Cena’s (The Suicide Squad) career-best performance. Yes, you read that correctly, it’s not an exaggeration. The fact that Cena plays a character whose job is to portray another character, shockingly becoming the “best actor in the world” against all expectations, places the actor in an ideal position to “give his all” without seeming forced or irrational. It’s a complete display that demonstrates the actor’s phenomenal growth, and not only proves his exceptional comedic timing but also his underrated dramatic range.

Efron (The Iron Claw) also continues to prove that the days of High School Musical and even Baywatch are behind him, with another authentic rendition and fantastic chemistry with the rest of the cast. Indeed, it’s precisely this chemistry that elevates Ricky Stanicky to an above-average level of entertainment, making its nearly two-hour runtime constantly captivating. Also worth noting is the equally hilarious performance of William H. Macy (Shameless).

Farrelly, like all filmmakers, has his strengths and weaknesses, but tonal balance is an aspect I consider to be his own “trademark”. Certainly, many cinephiles may totally disagree with me, but I never felt in his recent films those abrupt, jarring transitions between serious and comedic moments. The editing in his movies usually fulfills the careful purpose of keeping the film at a constant pace, embracing the improbability and silliness of his funny yet thought-provoking narratives.

Therefore, I don’t fully understand the divisive general opinion of the filmmaker. For instance, Green Book was incredibly well received by audiences around the world, as well as critics. It was an undeniable box-office success. It won numerous awards, including the Oscar for Best Picture. However, most online interactions with the film at its center are usually negative… I don’t get it. Personally, I’m as interested and excited as before about whatever Farrelly does next.

In Conclusion

Ricky Stanicky cleverly uses a blend of light humor, simple yet sincere messages, and a pleasant narrative to provide broad entertainment, as well as a testament to the complexities of personal growth and human nature. The standout performance of John Cena, along with a cohesive and dynamic cast, elevates the film beyond its conventional plot, highlighting Peter Farrelly’s ability to create stories that resonate with the audience through laughter and reflection. Despite the divergent opinions on Farrelly’s contributions to cinema, his talent for balancing comedy with deeper thematic elements is once again laid out for everyone to appreciate, some more than others. Recommended for all types of viewers.

8/10

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