9-Ball

I wasn't expecting very much since there were no Grade A known actors or actresses in this sports themed film about 9-Ball billiard players. Instead the producers decided to utilize some actual professional female 9-Ball pool players, namely Jennifer Barretta and Jeanette Lee.

To my surprise this film had an actual plot which revolved around Jennifer Barretta and the man who raised her after her own father was murdered. (This is fiction based, not fact based) Her adopted father Joey (Kurt Hanover) insists that the young Jennifer focus solely on 9-ball. And with time and maturity all the practise Jennifer puts into 9-ball has her sleazy adopted father travelling the 9-ball circuit and hustling various bar rooms looking for easy pickings by making side bets with the working stiffs who don't take the young Jennifer very seriously.

As the wins keep accumulating via these bar room hustles Jennifer asks Joey where is her share of the winnings and Joey's pat answer is always "who took you in, raised you and put a roof over your head and taught you how to hustle 9-ball?"

As Jennifer comes to realize that Joey is using her as his personal bank machine and cash cow, she decides to turn professional and in so doing no longer needs Joey handling her personal life nor her personal income gained from the game of 9-ball.

I wouldn't classify this in the same realm as the sports drama 1993 Rudy, or the 2003 Seabiscuit, but all in all an entertaining sports drama especially if you enjoy attractive women athletes playing 9-ball at the top of their respective games.

I would give the film a respectful 6 out of 10 IMDb rating.

I wanted to like this movie going in. I watched this having seen just about every great movie about pool ever made on the subject. This movie simply isn't one of them.

It's not that the actors aren't trying or were even that bad. Really. It's that their lines are pretty wooden, and the plot is so way thin, it's obvious what will happen next, often before the actors even say it. The flat delivery of their lines only re-enforces this fact.

My real gripe though are actual pool sequences. Few and far between, they lack any kind of imagination or even an interesting camera angle. For example, several shots in the movie are taken, but you have no sense from watching the shot as it takes place, that the ball was actually pocketed. They often just show the actor squaring up and striking the cue ball, then quickly cut away. To a different actor or different scene. You have no sense that the ball goes in or was even close to the pocket.

This has the same effect of a comedian delivering his/her line and then cutting away before the punch line. You end up saying to yourself WTF?

I am hard pressed to come up with any reason to recommend anyone watch this movie. Bottom line if you are looking for even just a fair movie to settle in and watch, you'd be better off to keep searching beyond this title.

I am surprised by the other reviews here. The only reason I kept watching this movie was for hopes of seeing Jennifer, Jeanette or Alison playing pool. Because the acting, story and movie in general were terrible. My wife, who wasn't even watching the movie, was sitting in the other room where she could still hear it. And even she was commenting about how bad the dialog was.

If you are hoping for a movie about pool, then yes you will get that. Unfortunately, you will not see any real play in the movie. You will see shots being made, but no strategy involved whatsoever, even by the stars themselves. You will also see that the APA obviously contributed to the movie given the commercial dialog spoken by the stars.

Perhaps I set my expectations too high. I wanted this to be a good movie as I love pool, and think everyone should try it. I even appreciate the APA and the professionals who contribute to endeavors such as this. But would I recommend this movie? Sadly, no.

This pool movie is exhilarating and keeps you on the edge of your seat! The cast line up has real-life female Professional Pool Players as well as pool fans and current national APA Players. I love that I can watch a film with actual pros in it...that play the sport on ESPN today. A couple of the female professionals are: Allison Fisher, Jeanette Lee and lead character, Jennifer Barretta. Being a regular pool player myself, I'm thrilled to see this film come out and represent the sport! So many people from all across the globe, have either played pool at some point in their life or a family member has a pool table in their home...either way, the game of pool is everywhere and now we get to see it in this next popular billiard movie, "9-Ball"! I read on Facebook the movie had been released on DVD for purchase on www.mainstreetproductions.com. I wanted to share that with everyone because this is where I purchased mine as well as some of my friends and family. 9-Ball is a great addition to your movie/DVD collection. If you love pool or enjoy watching others in the game - you must see this movie! I told all my local pool league players about it and now they're all wanting to see it. Great job to all the good actors in the film! The uncle and boyfriend played amazing parts!!! I'm sure this movie will be a hit in the U.S. but also internationally -- since billiards is so popular overseas as well. Good luck!!!

A great movie with a laundry list of all star pool players. Anthony Palma made a great pool movie. Jennifer Barreta shines as Gail, a pool hustler that wants to take her game to the pro level. This will no be her last acting role. Kurt Hanover excels as Joey, Gail's not so sweet and innocent uncle. Cameo's by Allison Fisher and Jennette Lee only serve to elevate the movie to an even higher level. The movies tag line is absolutely inspiring:

Her talent made her a winner. Her heart made her a champion.

Bottom line, do not wait, go buy this movie, now! What are you waiting for, stop reading and go buy this movie.