Backyard Ashes

A really entertaining comedy with catching characters, terrific actors and dialogues so nice that you are left under the impression that the Authors had much more material than that they had to squeeze in the movie.

The script is so sound that it could easily be a novel instead of a movie. And as in good novels it gets better and better as the story goes on and those people you could find a little annoying at the beginning you'll end loving in the final. I look forward to seeing more from Mark Grentell, Peter Cox and this really talented lot.

And, by the way, I can't play Cricket or have the faintest idea what the bloody rules could be.

Backyard Ashes looks like a low budget movie with a big budget relation to real life. Being an Indian and playing cricket with friends and family, I can truly relate to this movie. This was my 1st Australian movie that I have watched and I must admit it hit the right cords. Big budget movies generally focus more on the big names but this focused on everyone in the movie. It was a simple yet very honest movie. Loved ones getting together, playing a good game of cricket, the annoying and unfriendly neighbors, the old couple upstairs, the entire locality and the craziness that comes along. Its a good watch for a nice lazy afternoon....

A mate in Australia recommended this movie to me and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's light-hearted and silly and packed with loads of subtle cricket references (Jardine, Dexter, Harlequin caps, impersonations of famous commentators etc.) which keeps the narrative moving along at a very predictable but steady pace. The story is a bit weak but it's never less than highly entertaining. At times, the stereotypes are a little obvious but remember folks that this is a COMEDY. It's meant to be funny and in the manner of the typical Australian cinematic style (and its refreshing non-conformity to a PC strait-jacket), it entertains without offending.

There are not many movies made for this theme. A movie about the cricketing sport from Australia means very interesting. Commonwealth nations know the Australian dominance in this particular sport. So I think it is specially dedicated to world cricket lovers and no one else. Those who like cricket would enjoy the movie maximum than those who don't know. Be prepared, the Ashes is here in the backyard.

'The Ashes' is the annual cricket tournament played by England and Australian teams. Probably the oldest tournament it is and also prestigious to win for the respective nations. So this movie based on the similar style, but in a simple way. A group of factory employees hangout for the weekends to play backyard cricket. Coincidentally, their new boss move in the neighborhood. Since they don't like each other, one freak accident puts them into a rival position. This conflict grows bigger by days gone and becomes national news. So now these two groups have to fight in a backyard cricket match to settle down. The match begins like the similar fashion to the real Ahes and to know how it ends you must see the movie by yourself.

''It's a batsman's world.''

Not a bad movie after all movie that deals on cricket is a rare thing so it worked comfortably for me. It had lots of fun moments, sorry if you don't know the game you won't completely get entertained. At least it will help to learn a few things, but it is not the real game so the rules are altered. If you do know, then it will be a different scenario. Looks like a specially made movie for sun-continent cricket fans with one sub-continent character in it. It is no masterpiece, but a time-pass entertainment flick.

It was not plain, though lacks in depth which kind of looks like a weekend premiered television movie. Amusing characters make us to stick with the movie. The few lines that said in the movie were so good and so strong like that used during real Ashes. Enjoyment is what this movie provides than cleverness in all the departments. So you should suit yourself for that than expecting something extraordinary. One time watch a movie and nothing more else.

This was a Tuesday night movie mid-February 2025. Watched on ABC iView.

A nostalgic trip down memory lane of Australian comedies and cricket. We're in "The Castle" (1997) territory here. The banter and ribbing between friends is pushed to the limit here, seemingly too much at times, but I think that is the point.

Parody is the game here, alongside cricket! Even the title is a pun.

And yet there is a wonderful warmth in the acting and storytelling. The villain is indeed villainous, and our hero is struggling and almost gives up. But watch this to the very end - as it weaves its tragic, groan-inducing, hilarious magic - it ends surprisingly well.

This is a celebration of everything Australia once was and a wistful ode for contemporary life.

Highly recommended.

No animals were harmed in the writing of this review.