Blackball [DVD] [2003]

Description

Product Description Mel Smith directs a very English cast in this light-comedy based loosely on the story of Bowler Cliff Starkey (Paul Kaye). Starkey dreams of playing for England however, he just can't keep out of trouble and has always preferred following his own rules - much to the disapproval of the stuck-up local bowls club in Torquay. But when Rick Schwartz (Vince Vaughn), an American sports agent, takes Cliff under his wing he becomes a national hero... From .co.uk Blackball marks the feature debut of Paul Kaye, who spins a somewhat more likeable variation on his arrogant Perfect World TV persona in this underdog-triumphs-over-adversity comedy. Set, like Fawlty Towers, in the holiday resort of Torquay, and echoing the small-town seaside pettiness of Tony Hancock's The Punch and Judy Man (1963), Blackball is as bitterly class conscious as either, with Kaye as a working-class, potentially world-champion bowler with an enormous chip on his shoulder. Written by Tim Firth (the man also responsible for 2003's Calendar Girls), the film seems unsure what it wants to be, aiming potshots at the corrupting influence of big money TV deals and commercial tie-ins on traditional values, while simultaneously trampling on those very values by celebrating the repugnant antics of Kaye's MTV-generation angry young sportsman. Director Mel Smith eventually swamps any satiric intent under a full slate of feel-good comedy clichés, though he does win fine performances from James Cromwell and Bernard Cribbins as Kaye's proud nemesis and kindly uncle respectively. While parts of the script involving their back stories seems to have been left on the cutting room floor, the restrained dignity these two elder statesmen bring to their roles speaks volumes about changes in attitudes between the generations. Consistently amusing, though too predictable to be hilarious, Blackball features strong support from Vince Vaughn, Johnny Vegas, Imelda Staunton and Alice Evans. Stephen Warbeck's score really elevates proceedings once the product-placed rock soundtrack stands aside. --Gary S Dalkin P.when('A').execute(function(A) { A.on('a:expander:toggle_description:toggle:collapse', function(data) { window.scroll(0, data.expander.$expander[0].offsetTop-100); }); }); Synopsis Comedy about Cliff Starkey who lives on the English coast and whose pursuit is bowls. Despite his dream of playing for his country he doesn't want to play by the rules, until Rick Schwartz turns up. An American sports agent, he takes charge of Cliff with comic results. See more