Blackball
2003
Directed by funnyman Mel Smith, BLACKBALL follows the fortunes of Cliff Starkey (Paul Kaye). Starkey lives in a traditional, quiet seaside town where nothing seems to inspire him except for bowls. However, inspite of his talent for the game, his working-class upbringing does not go down well with the middle-class members of the .. Read more
| Starring | Paul Kaye, Vince Vaughn, Johnny Vegas, Imelda Staunton |
|---|---|
| Director | Mel Smith |
| Genres | Comedy |
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Blackball
Directed by funnyman Mel Smith, BLACKBALL follows the fortunes of Cliff Starkey (Paul Kaye). Starkey lives in a traditional, quiet seaside town where nothing seems to inspire him except for bowls. However, inspite of his talent for the game, his working-class upbringing does not go down well with the middle-class members of the bowling club, even when he becomes the regional champion. However, his ability to wow the crowd is noticed and Cliff is signed up by sports agent Rick Schwartz (Vince Vaughn) and Cliff's popularity begins to soar. When he is picked for the national team to play against Australia, will he be able to live up to expectations
| Starring | Paul Kaye, Vince Vaughn, Johnny Vegas, Imelda Staunton, Estelle Harris, Mark Little, Bernard Cribbins |
|---|---|
| Director | Mel Smith |
| Studio | ICON HOME ENTERTAINMENT |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 33 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Comedy |
| Language | English |
| Released | DVD: 16 Feb 2004 Production year: 2003 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (2)
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This thoroughly charmless comedy is rooted in the same kind of so-called humour that one hoped had died out in the 1970s with the likes of Bless This House and On the Buses. Paul Kaye plays Cliff Starkey, a young, obnoxious bad boy of bowls who's quite rightly blackballed by his stuffy Torquay club, then reluctantly re-instated to take on the visiting Aussie champions. The club needs the young rebel's prodigious talent to win the match, while Starkey can only prosper under the steadying influence of the club's veteran champ (James Cromwell). Can the home team triumph? Against the Aussies? Well, this is a fantasy after all, though one that is anything but convincing. Despite a likeable cast (that features Johnny Vegas and, surprisingly, Vince Vaughn), the laughs here are way off-target. This Brit-flop won't be bowling anyone over.
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Coarse and unlovely comedy with a worn-out narrative; its two comics, Kaye and Vegas, fail to transfer their humour to the big screen.
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Most helpful member's review
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8 out of 10 people found this review helpful
This is what British Movies should be...
forget Four Weddings and the like, I belive those films are how Vyvian from 'The Young Ones' described 'The Good Life' - 'They're just a bunch of reactionary stereotypes, confirming the myth that everyone in England is a loveable middle class eccentric - and I hate them'
This seems more earthily British than many films I have seen recently. And the token American that all brit films have to have to get an American audience (in this case James Cromwell) gives a great performance (not just a great accent)
Paul Kaye gives a typical performance, he is just superb at playing this kind of character. And it's good to see Bernard Cribbins again.
The only thing wrong with this film is that it is quite formulaic in its approach. But it is still more than worth a watch, in fact being the best Mel Smith film I have seen.
I just wish sportsmen were more like this, if you have the personality just do it because you enjoy it. Not for gamesmanship or gloating at the opponent.
BTW this film also digs up the dead - twice! in the form of Tony Slattery and Mark Little. But even that can't spoil this film. -
Most recent members' review
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Utter Rubbish
Don't waste your time - Low budget rubbish!
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Blackball
Directed by funnyman Mel Smith, BLACKBALL follows the fortunes of Cliff Starkey (Paul Kaye). Starkey lives in a traditional, quiet seaside town where nothing seems to inspire him except for bowls. However, inspite of his talent for the game, his working-class upbringing does not go down well with ...
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