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:

Feel The Passion Of The Balls.

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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

The tagline "At last a sportsman the British can be proud of..." is actually written "aT last a spOrtSman the britiSh can bE pRoud of..." the capitalised letters spelling the word 'Tosser' which is a word frequently used in the film.

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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 Rocky (1976)

User Reviews

great un-sung British comedy

this film has gotten mixed reviews and probably won't make a huge amount at the box office, which is a real shame, because although the film is not perfect it is lot better than most of the so-called comedies littering our multiplexes these days.

the genius that is Paul Kaye plays the bad-boy-made-good that takes the sport of bowls from obscurity to the front pages. ever since Dennis Pennis 'died' I've waited for Kaye to equal that comedic performance and feel that he does so here. the story has obviously been done before, lots, but i was never bored during the film, as Blackball has a great originality, and never becomes to preachy. it's because of this that the film is great FUN. Kaye is constant energy and is helped with an always-great performance by another comedy genius, Johnny Vegas.

as the film moves along it is helped by great direction, by Mel Smith, and editing, as well as a kicking soundtrack and some cool cameos from a huge US star(Vince Vaughan), and cult British figures(David Schneider and Statto). how Vaughan got involved in the project I'll never know, but he's not wasted here, in a small but funny role.

anyway, I'd thoroughly recommend going to see this at the cinema(if you're in England) and then with enough support it might get an American release date. this original comedy is a great alternative to the typical English stereotyping of most of our films.