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:

pickup soccer game in mud | lawn bowling | condom | juggling | house painter | 

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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

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 capitalized 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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Quotes

Cliff: Is it on the condom?
Trevor: IT IS ON THE CONDOM!

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Connections

References Rocky (1976)

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Soundtracks

Stuck in a Moment (You Can't Get Out of)
Written by U2, lyrics by Bono and The Edge
Performed by U2

User Reviews

Decent but too short on laughs

Mel Smith (director) and Paul Kaye (star) - 2 great talents which should have made for an hilarious movie, but although it remains interesting, there is a feeling that it simply is not as funny as it should be. Despite a great supporting cast, they and Paul Kaye's antics are not enough to provide a truly satisfying experience.

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 USA:

$48,000, 13 February 2005

Gross USA:

$48,000

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,223,155

Company Credits

Production Co:

Midfield Films, Icon Entertainment International, Isle of Man Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1