Christopher Nolan Loved This Sports Comedy With The White Lotus Star
Before embodying Kate at a 5-star Thai resort, Bibb delivered a standout performance in one of the most quotable sports comedies of the 2000s.
We all know and love Leslie Bibb for her versatility. She can do horror, action, drama and, of course, comedy. And while we are currently obsessed with her performance in The White Lotus, her career includes another impressive satire that even Christopher Nolan can't resist.
So while we wait for a new episode of The White Lotus, let's take a pit stop with this comedy classic.
Meet Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, Your New Favorite
The film in question is, of course, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006), where Leslie Bibb portrays Carley Bobby, the materialistic trophy wife of Ricky Bobby's (Will Ferrell) hilariously over-confident NASCAR superstar.
Ricky Bobby has his dreams shattered when arrogant French F1 pro, Jean Girard (Sacha Baron Cohen), comes in. The story follows Ricky desperately trying to get his life together.
This Adam McKay's comedy hits the perfect balance of absurdity and heart. The movie just works, and whether you're a NASCAR fan or someone who couldn't care less about cars, you'll find your new obsession by the end of it.
Everybody Is Obsessed With Talladega Nights, Even Christopher Nolan
The comedy is greatly praised among critics and audience alike.
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It has even earned Christopher Nolan's stamp of approval. The director of Oppenheimer and Interstellar considers it unmissable television whenever it appears on his screen.
While being on The Rich Eisen Show, Nolan was asked about movies he can't skip whenever they air on TV.
“I mean, god, anything by [Stanley] Kubrick, you know? It’s a remote drop. And some of the great comedies too, I mean ‘Talladega Nights,’ I’m never gonna be able to switch that up.” Nolan said (via Variety).
Beyond its great cast and endlessly quotable dialogue, Talladega Nights stands out for its surprising attention to detail. The film may be a comedy, but its creators approached the NASCAR elements with great responsibility.
As Redditor Joe_Ald pointed out:
“It’s also one of the best NASCAR movies. They did a ton of research. The cars and sponsors in the beginning were accurate to the time period and changed the proper design and sponsors as Ricky progressed [through] his career.”
If you're intrigued by this pre-White Lotus Leslie Bibb performance or simply in the mood for a comedy that consistently delivers laughs, you can watch Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby on Fandango at Home, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and Apple TV+.