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Blackball

Name: Blackball
Genre: Comedy
Released: 2003-05-18
Cast: Paul Kaye, Johnny Vegas, James Cromwell, Bernard Cribbins, Alice Evans

2003 | 96 min | Comedy

Weeknight Watchearly rating

Why it’s a Weeknight Watch

With middling reviews (41% on Rotten Tomatoes) and soft box office, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it: Made for anyone who wants a laugh. If you loved Bull Durham or Heaven Can Wait, start here.
The mood: Light and funny.
The pace: Breezy, at 1 hr 36 min.
What might put you off: Rated R: meant for adults.

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.

How it earned its rating

CriticsBelow par
41% on Rotten Tomatoes
AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
Box office & staying powerBelow par
$48K worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 26K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Mel Smith

Paul KayeCliff Starkey
Johnny VegasTrevor
James CromwellRay Speight
Bernard CribbinsMutley
Alice EvansKerry
Vince VaughnRick Schwartz
Imelda StauntonBridget
James FleetAlan the Pipe
Kenneth CranhamChairman Collins
Ian McNeiceHugh The Sideburns