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Blackball (2003)
Director: Mel Smith
Cast: Paul Kaye, Johnny Vegas, James Cromwell, Bernard Cribbins
5.6
38%Runtime96 min
Rating15
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Blackball follows the fortunes of Cliff Starkey, a working-class fine of lawn bowls with an exceptional talent. Wanting to take on the Aussies he manages to become regional champion, only to get banned. Sports agent Rich Schwartz picks him up and makes him so popular the Bowls Committee deem to lift the ban. Now the question is whether he can regain his form and his friends to beat the Aussies.
Critical Reception & Ratings
Blackball, a 2003 comedy directed by Mel Smith, has received mixed reviews from critics, with a 5.6/10 rating on IMDb and a 38% score on Rotten Tomatoes. The film follows the story of a working-class lawn bowls player who gets banned, only to make a comeback with the help of a sports agent.
Why you might like this:
Blackball, directed by Mel Smith in 2003, is a hilarious sports comedy that blends the refined world of lawn bowling with the irreverent humor of its talented cast, including Paul Kaye and Johnny Vegas. Fans of offbeat, character-driven comedies will particularly enjoy the film's unique premise and the delightful chemistry between its misfit protagonists as they navigate the high-stakes world of competitive lawn bowling.
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About
Blackball is a 2003 British sports comedy film based on the game of lawn bowls. The screenplay was written by Tim Firth and the film was directed by Mel Smith. The film features James Cromwell as a master bowls player and Paul Kaye as a naturally talented player who have differing social backgrounds; they are placed together by Vince Vaughn to play for England against Australia. Its fictional plot is based on the bowls player Griff Sanders, who was also referred to as "The Bad Boy of Bowls".
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