Blackball 2003

Overview

Blackball is a 2003 comedy film directed by Mel Smith that explores the world of professional lawn bowls. The story centers on Cliff Starkey, a working-class man with an exceptional talent for the sport. After successfully becoming a regional champion, Starkey faces a professional setback when he is banned from competition. His fortunes shift when he is discovered by a sports agent named Rich Schwartz. Under Schwartz's management, Starkey gains significant popularity, which eventually pressures the Bowls Committee to lift his ban. With his eligibility restored, Starkey must attempt to regain his competitive form and reconcile with his friends in order to challenge the Australian team. The film features a cast that includes Paul Kaye, James Cromwell, Alice Evans, and Bernard Cribbins. The production has a runtime of one hour and thirty-six minutes and was released in the United States on May 18, 2003. The film is rated R. Beyond the narrative of the film, the term blackballing is also historically recognized as a form of male hazing ritual.