Blackball (2003)

A rebellious young British bowls player teams with another older and more traditional player to take on the Australian bowls team.

Director:

Mel Smith

Writer:

Tim Firth (screenplay)

Stars:

Paul Kaye, James Cromwell, Alice Evans

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Paul Kaye	...	Cliff
James Cromwell	...	Ray
Alice Evans	...	Kerry
Bernard Cribbins	...	Mutley
Johnny Vegas	...	Trevor
Vince Vaughn	...	Rick
Imelda Staunton	...	Bridget
James Fleet	...	Alan the Pipe
David Ryall	...	Giles Wilton
Ian McNeice	...	Hugh The Sideburns
Kenneth Cranham	...	Chairman Collins
Terry Alderton	...	Bouncer Jonno
Emma Amos	...	Local News Reporter
Paul Bentall	...	Gate Guard (as Paul Bental)
Neil Conrich	...	Reporter Dave

Storyline

Try as he might, the roguishly handsome Cliff Starkey, just can't keep out of trouble. In his sleepy home town on the English coast, nothing much inspires him...apart from bowls. Cliff has always preferred to play by his own rules much to the disapproval of the regimented, elderly bowls fraternity. Before long, the bay boy of bowls is turning the sedate and very English pastime upside down with hysterical results.

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Plot Keywords:

painter | sports car | decorator | devon england | championship | 

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Taglines:

From the director of "Bean" comes a comedy you will bowl over!

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 September 2003 (UK)

Also Known As:

National Lampoon's Blackball

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

£376,233 (UK) (5 September 2003)

Gross:

£733,179 (UK) (12 September 2003)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Midfield Films, Icon Entertainment International, Isle of Man Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Mel Smith confessed that five minutes before they started filming they realized everyone was absolutely useless at playing lawn bowls.

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Goofs

There is paper confetti all over the floor of the indoor bowling green for the England Vs Australia match, in the next shot there is none.

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Connections

References Beverly Hills Cop (1984)

User Reviews

I'd give 10 Hollywood blockbuster movies for 1 Blackball.

One of the funniest movies I've seen for a long time. Proof that you don't need mega bucks to make a good movie, just a good script and the right cast selection. The plot is farcial and the cameos keep popping in when you least expect them, unless you've seen the cast list. One more thing in it's favour, there is no hope of a "Blackball 2, the grude match" to detract from the original.