Long-time friends Dean (Zac Efron), JT (Andrew Santino) and Wes (Jermaine Fowler) frequently use made-up friend Ricky Stanicky as a way to get out of doing things they don’t want to do. After missing the birth of JT’s son while ‘visiting Ricky’, the three friends are put on the spot when it’s suggested that Ricky is invited to the child’s Bris. Determined not be caught out in their lie, the friends reach out to Rod (John Cena), an actor they met during their last Ricky trip, and ask him to pretend to be their made-up friend. What could possibly go wrong?
‘Ricky Stanicky’ is from film-maker Peter Farrelly (‘Dumb & Dumber’, ‘There’s Something About Mary’) and inevitably, it’s had a pretty harsh reception from film critics. The film harks back to simpler times when the world wasn’t so caught up with being politically correct, and instead people wanted some escapism from their comedies. Honestly, going into the film my expectations were pretty low but I’m surprised to admit the film was a lot funnier than I thought it was going to be.
The premise is a simple one, and one that isn’t unlike the plot of ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’. Rather than Jack heading off to see his ‘old friend’ Bunbury, we have Dean, JT and Wes inventing reasons they need to pay Ricky a visit, often when something else is due to happen that they don’t want to do. The lies become more elaborate, and when they’re put on the spot to introduce Ricky to everyone, they attempt to pull off their biggest lie yet. Enter Rod, an X-rated musical performer in Atlantic City who calls himself an actor. The initial meet between Rod and the trio isn’t particularly smooth but Rod manages to hand his business card to Dean.
Dean’s suggestion to hire Rod to play Ricky isn’t met too enthusiastically but JT and Wes agree to go along with it. Furnished with a bible detailing all of the lies they’ve told about Ricky, Rod quickly gets into character and charms the family and friends of the trio, particularly Dean and JT’s boss (William H. Macy), who isn’t used to being spoken to plainly. With troubles he’s running from back home, Rod becomes very attached to Ricky and when it comes time for him to leave, he’s not keen to do so. Of course, that throws a spanner in the works for Dean and co. who are desperate for their lies to remain secret.
The biggest surprise in this film is what a revelation John Cena is. He proves himself to be mightily adept at comedy, stealing every single scene he’s in and on several occasions he made me laugh-out-loud. Like Ryan Gosling in ‘Barbie’, Cena really commits to the role and for that reason he elevates the material. Cena is ably supported by Zac Efron, Andrew Santino and Jermaine Fowler but make no mistake, this is Cena’s movie.
Inevitably the reviews so far for ‘Ricky Stanicky’ have been scathing, as critics turn their nose up at the film’s bawdy comedy. While the film isn’t going to become a classic, it doesn’t really deserve the reaction it’s received. If you liked Farrelly’s previous work, then you’ll find much to enjoy about ‘Ricky Stanicky’. For me, I just appreciated a comedy that delivered plenty of laughs, kept up a decent pace and didn’t try to lean into the overly PC world we find ourselves in.
Cast: Zac Efron, John Cena, Andrew Santino, Jermaine Fowler, Lex Scott Davis, William H. Macy Director: Peter Farrelly Writers: Jeff Bushell and Brian Jarvis & James Lee Freeman & Peter Farrelly & Pete Jones & Mike Cerrone Certificate: 15 Duration: 115 mins Released by: Prime Video
