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Strange as it seems, the film that may most accurately capture the Christmas spirit this season is "The Ringer."

Anyone who has heard the pitch for the movie will be skeptical, but it's true.

"The Ringer" — a film about a man who pretends to be mentally challenged so that he can compete in the Special Olympics in order to win a bet — endorses good will toward men, and, in a roundabout way, it promotes peace on Earth.

Steve (Johnny Knoxville) is a softhearted company cog who wants to be a big wheel. His first duty after he's promoted is to fire someone. Long story short: Steve soon needs thousands of dollars to pay for surgery for the fired worker, Stavi (Luis Avalos).

Steve's Uncle Gary (Brian Cox) also needs several grand — to pay off his gambling debts to a hood who's a big fan of an inspirational Special Olympics champion named Jimmy (Leonard Flowers). In desperation, former high-school track star Steve goes along with Gary's distasteful plan: Calling himself Jeffy, he pretends that he is developmentally disabled, and he enters the Special Olympics,.

The athletes who see the most of Jeffy soon peg him as a fraud, but they keep his secret because they have their own agenda. Meanwhile, Steve is falling for a beautiful Special Olympics volunteer, Lynn (Katherine Heigl).

"The Ringer" earned a seal of approval from the Special Olympics organization, and there are impressive performances by several current or former Special Olympians, including Edward Barbanell and John Taylor.

Knoxville is convincing as a nice guy carrying bags full of guilt, as well as a would-be romantic lead. Director Barry W. Blaustein lets the story get off to a slow start, but once he finds his stride, "The Ringer" turns out to be a true winner.