this film has gotten mixed reviews and probably won't make a huge amount at the box office, which is a real shame, because although the film is not perfect it is lot better than most of the so-called comedies littering our multiplexes these days.
the genius that is Paul Kaye plays the bad-boy-made-good that takes the sport of bowls from obscurity to the front pages. ever since Dennis Pennis 'died' I've waited for Kaye to equal that comedic performance and feel that he does so here. the story has obviously been done before, lots, but i was never bored during the film, as Blackball has a great originality, and never becomes to preachy. it's because of this that the film is great FUN. Kaye is constant energy and is helped with an always-great performance by another comedy genius, Johnny Vegas.
as the film moves along it is helped by great direction, by Mel Smith, and editing, as well as a kicking soundtrack and some cool cameos from a huge US star(Vince Vaughan), and cult British figures(David Schneider and Statto). how Vaughan got involved in the project I'll never know, but he's not wasted here, in a small but funny role.
anyway, I'd thoroughly recommend going to see this at the cinema(if you're in England) and then with enough support it might get an American release date. this original comedy is a great alternative to the typical English stereotyping of most of our films.
the genius that is Paul Kaye plays the bad-boy-made-good that takes the sport of bowls from obscurity to the front pages. ever since Dennis Pennis 'died' I've waited for Kaye to equal that comedic performance and feel that he does so here. the story has obviously been done before, lots, but i was never bored during the film, as Blackball has a great originality, and never becomes to preachy. it's because of this that the film is great FUN. Kaye is constant energy and is helped with an always-great performance by another comedy genius, Johnny Vegas.
as the film moves along it is helped by great direction, by Mel Smith, and editing, as well as a kicking soundtrack and some cool cameos from a huge US star(Vince Vaughan), and cult British figures(David Schneider and Statto). how Vaughan got involved in the project I'll never know, but he's not wasted here, in a small but funny role.
anyway, I'd thoroughly recommend going to see this at the cinema(if you're in England) and then with enough support it might get an American release date. this original comedy is a great alternative to the typical English stereotyping of most of our films.