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:

sports car | sports agent | rivalry | painter | fish out of water | 

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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 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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Based on a true story of Griff Sanders, who was thrown out of the Torquay Bowls Club for "improper conduct" (including writing "tosser" on the back of a score card).

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Goofs

During the England v. Australia match, most of the flags shown (including the graphics behind the "computer" head-shots) are Union Flags - the flag of the United Kingdom - and not St George Crosses - the flag of England.

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Quotes

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

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Connections

Spoofs The Right Stuff (1983)

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Soundtracks

Gonna Fly Now
Written by Bill Conti, Carol Connors and Ayn Robbins

User Reviews

Nothing new here

Typical run-of-the-mill British comedy, the kind of lukewarm stuff we seem to reproduce on a regular basis. Parts of the film are amusing although nothing stands out as memorable and the whole thing is a bit predictable. It is hard to feel anything for the lead character, and the moral stance of the film is not clear. Johnny Vegas lifted the film for me, as he provides some moments of genuine amusement simply by playing himself. Could have been a whole lot better, but on the whole it's watchable as long as you don't expect too much from it.