Backyard Ashes

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.

This very funny backyard movie is a revelation in home grown film making. A National past time in Australia is Backyard Cricket. Also, Internationally each year teams play in huge stadiums and it is all televised daily across Summer. For anyone who does not know Cricket, especially in the USA, this film won't play well. But for British and probably Indian / Pakistani families, this film will be a scream Here is a film that combines working class comedy and family with sharp satire and a lot of Aussie suburban sports slang most successfully. Imagine THE FULL MONTY mixed with THE CASTLE and KENNY and played in a backyard during a game of Neighbour/Employer cricket. I personally do not like cricket and could not care less about it on TV and in matches that go for days. However, this hilarious 85 minute micro movie transcends all barriers just by being funny and good natured. A strong silly script, ripe performances and sunny satire, nice kids and surprising digital sharp picture and sound, BACKYARD ASHES is a school holiday movie delight and easy to have the family laughing out loud. A big hit in regional cinemas, suburban audiences will also lap it up if given the chance.

The premise got me in, and then having started to watch it and read these reviews, I stuck with it and except for the the final seconds of the last scene and effectiveness of the credits in identifying the actors (should be obligatory for animated movies!!) I have to agree with the panning of this movie.

Hostile to some and so predictable. As Rossini may have once said of Wagner -wonderful moments, dreadful half hours - and I think there may have been three moments.

And yes, this too is my first review - similarly moved as another reviewer. That said, at $285 000, how poor is the standard hourly rate for acting?

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.

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.