- Actors: Paul Kaye, Vince Vaughn, James Cromwell, Alice Evans, Bernard Cribbins
- Directors: Mel Smith
- Format: PAL, Widescreen, Dolby, Digital Sound, Colour
- Language English
- Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9 - 1.77:1
- Number of discs: 1
- Classification: 15
- Studio: Icon Home Entertainment
- DVD Release Date: 16 Feb 2004
- Run Time: 96 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B0000BK6T5
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 26,486 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)
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Reviews
Amazon.co.uk Review
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
Special Features
Director's Commentary
Cast and Crew Interviews
Trailers and TV Spots
Subtitles: English, English and English HOH
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Cast and Crew Interviews
Trailers and TV Spots
Subtitles: English, English and English HOH
Aspect ratio: 16:9
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
It's richly ironic that a comedian perhaps best known for triggering a fit of clinical depression in Steve Martin by asking him why he wasn't funny anymore should himself be so horrendously unfunny onscreen, but Paul Kaye certainly proves that's the case with the irredeemably dismal Blackball. A poor actor and a worse comic, his bowls ace from the wrong side of the tracks is one of the most horribly misconceived characters in years, so utterly charmless, repugnant and phenomenally unlikeable that you can only sympathise with the film's nominal villains and hope that one of them will bash the obnoxious bore repeatedly over the head with a bowling ball until his legs stop twitching. Yes, this is a film that actually has the power to make you side with Daily Mail reading snobs...
The story follows a predictably formulaic route - Kaye's bad boy of British bowls falls foul of the old farts who rule the sport, becomes a media sensation thanks to a ruthless agent's media machinations and lets success go to his head before redeeming himself and yada yada yada. Except in this case he actually seems slightly LESS obnoxious when at the height of his success and egomania than he is in the rest of the film. Vince Vaughn gives the film what little energy it has as his agent, James Cromwell adds a modicum of class as his professional rival and prospective father-in-law while Alice Evans characterisation consists almost entirely of looking awkwardly to one side or the other whenever he says anything, though not rolling her eyes in contempt at her co-star was probably such a titanic effort that you can't really hold it against her. If you really feel the need for a good comedy about bowls, check out Aussie flick Crackerjack instead.
The story follows a predictably formulaic route - Kaye's bad boy of British bowls falls foul of the old farts who rule the sport, becomes a media sensation thanks to a ruthless agent's media machinations and lets success go to his head before redeeming himself and yada yada yada. Except in this case he actually seems slightly LESS obnoxious when at the height of his success and egomania than he is in the rest of the film. Vince Vaughn gives the film what little energy it has as his agent, James Cromwell adds a modicum of class as his professional rival and prospective father-in-law while Alice Evans characterisation consists almost entirely of looking awkwardly to one side or the other whenever he says anything, though not rolling her eyes in contempt at her co-star was probably such a titanic effort that you can't really hold it against her. If you really feel the need for a good comedy about bowls, check out Aussie flick Crackerjack instead.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
A Modern British classic based on a true story about the dangerous and exiting world of lawn bowls on the mean streets of Torquay. Paul Kaye (Dennis Pennis)turns the world of bowls upside down when his style of play upsets the "old guard" at the local rink. Throw in a little love interest (Alice Evans), and a pushy agent (Vince Vaughan) and you have a platform for fast paced comedy and some wonderful cameos from people such as Vic Reeves, Johnny Vegas and Imelda Staunton and best of all the great Bernard Cribbins. Will we beat the old enemy, Australia ?
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Essex man plays DVD
Good DVD and a good price. Entirely as described. Delivered promptly. Absolutely no complaints. Would recommend. This is a fun video & the only one I could find about Bowls. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Raymond Franklin
Blackball
A beautiful british comedy, made better by the fact it is true. Wonderfully acted. A great asset to my collection.
Published 5 months ago by pat
BLACKBALL DVD
I was very disappointed to find this DVD had subtitles which I'm sure was not stated in the advert.
Published 19 months ago by D Hamilton
Black ball
"Is it on the ritzler" fantastic you start laughing at the start and and still laugh when you are watching the special features. Read more
Published on 8 May 2009 by Andrew Winfrow
The Badboy of Bowling.
I've seen this film a couple of times now and this is one which I'd give 3.5 stars if I could - but have to decide on either 3 or 4. Read more
Published on 12 Jan 2008 by GeekZilla
Clever, funny and very watchable!
I first watched this film at university and was very impressed. The interactions between characters was beautifully crafted. Read more
Published on 31 May 2005
blackball
I eargerly awaited the release of blackball on video as it was not released in australia.
Having spent a good chunk of my life in Torquay i found the movie to be a very funny... Read more
Having spent a good chunk of my life in Torquay i found the movie to be a very funny... Read more
Published on 21 Oct 2004 by mw
Boring
Another dud British film. This 'comedy' is truly unamusing which is a very disappointing given the talents of Paul Kaye and Johnny Vegas but then again they weren't the ones who... Read more
Published on 25 Feb 2004 by Anne Bancroft
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