The idea alone is enough to make you cringe: Johnny Knoxville stars as an average guy who pretends he’s mentally challenged in order to rig the Special Olympics. Hunched over to one side and slightly contorted, referring to himself in the third person by the simpleton pseudonym “Jeffy,” he insinuates himself among the athletes who truly have physical and intellectual disabilities with the hopes of winning the thousands of dollars he owes. It could have been painful to watch in its political incorrectness or, conversely, an insufferably feel-good life lesson. It’s actually surprisingly funny – often laugh-out-loud hilarious – and yes, inspirational, mostly without trying too hard to be.

Produced by the Farrelly brothers and written by Ricky Blitt from “The Family Guy,” the film features actual Special Olympians as well as actors playing such athletes in scenes that buzz with the most unexpected comic energy. Rated: PG-13. Rating: 2 1/2 out of 4 stars. – Christy Lemire, AP movie critic