Crackerjack

When I saw the trailer for Crackerjack, I thought this film was going to be an absolute shocker. How wrong was I? This is such an exquisite piece of Australiana. It's as if a time capsule was dug up from a bygone era and inside was this film. The true stars of Crackerjack are not Mick Malloy or Judith Lucy but a cavalcade of veteran Australian actors, brought back to cinematic life. A bit like Wim Wenders bringing back to life the ageing musicians of the Buena Vista Social Club. Where the comedy of 'The Nugget' failed to deliver, 'Crackerjack' more than succeeds. "Can I fix you a Radox bath champ?" This is just one dialogue related example of how engagingly Australian this film is. And you have to love the modern technology that is 'Bowl-cam'. The sound of the ball cutting through the manicured lawn and the camera following every movement of the ball is truly hypnotic.

'Crackerjack' is not aimed at mocking the ways of the elderly. Lawn bowls is more than sport. It's about friendships, a sense of community and values that now have probably escaped modern day society. It's also about tomato sandwiches, beer at genuine 1976 prices and helping yourself to the wheel of cheese! 'Crackerjack' takes aim at big business, which is squeezing out smaller clubs with the introduction of poker machines and the social and financial impact it's having on the elderly. There are so many things to be gained from seeing this film. Jack highly recommended!

The first surprise is that the film, set at an Australian bowls club, attracts more than bowling fanatics. While players of the noble game will appreciate the comedy, which features Australian comedian Mick Molloy in his first feature film role, there's plenty for all ages. Molloy plays opportunist Jack, who joins the club as a non-playing member in order to rent out his club parking space to colleagues for large wads of cash. When the club hits rock bottom Jack is forced to mix with the aging members and play to keep his parking space. When friendships are struck up he ends up playing for far more. He meets the world weary journo Nance (Judith Lucy) who has been relegated to reporting bowling tournaments after turning down the advances of her editor. Frank Wilson is more than gentlemanly in his role of club president Len, Bill Hunter puts in a sterling performance as Stan, who takes Jack under his wing, while female support comes from Monica Maughan, Esme Melville and Lois Ramsey. In fact the cast reads like a Who's Who of Australian film. John Clarke appears as bowling-big wig Bernie bent on buying the club and installing pokie machines, much to the charign of members.

While bowls has been in the public conscience since Elizabethan times when Sir Francis Drake insisted in finishing a game at Plymouth Hoe, on the south coast of England, before defeating the Spanish Armada, this film will put it back on the map. Crackerjack, now showing at Te Awamutu's Regent Theatre, made me laugh out loud as well as Richard Wallace (who was sat behind me). It's a must see for Te Kuiti and Otorohanga bowling club members as well as those who loves films like Dalkeith, Brassed Off and The Full Monty.

I have loved Mick Molloy, Tony Martin and Judith Lucy, in addition to the rest of the D-Generation, for almost my whole life now, having started my love affair with these comedians at about the age of seven.

I never saw "Crackerjack" before, though, and I'm not sure why. Was it because Mick fell on hard times after "The Late Show" and "Martin Molloy"? Some of you may still be unfortunate enough to remember "The Mick Molloy Show", which was so laid back and lazy in execution it felt like they weren't even trying.

It might also have been because the movie is about lawn bowls, surely one of the top three most boring spectator sports ever invented, alongside golf and cricket.

It's true that you do need some understanding of bowls to follow the movie's climactic scenes (an understanding I don't have, nor care to acquire).

The movie begs the comparison to "Happy Gilmore", but in Australia with bowls instead of golf. However, whereas "Gilmore" went all out with typical Adam Sandler goofiness, "Crackerjack" is in some ways an affectionate homage to the culture of lawn bowls clubs for senior citizens. It's actually kind of realistic, which I wasn't expecting.

The movie's pretty funny at times, though never hilarious. The humour is light and ever-present, but I only found myself laughing a few times.

Seems strange to say, but I think "Crackerjack" may have been made with a very specific audience in mind: lawn bowls enthusiasts. It has just the right amount of realism and affection that I bet elderly folks down at the bowls club would love it.

And you know, I have to hand it to filmmakers who are that true to their purpose that they make a film for such a specific crowd of people, and one which is sure to please them.

Not that the rest of us can't enjoy it too.

Crackerjack is a simple but feelgood movie where the good guys are very good and the bad guys are very bad and the central character is tempted by both sides.

The combination of the central character being played by Mick Malloy and the central setting being the local lawn bowls clubs drew an unusually broad crowd ranging from large numbers of teenagers to large numbers of senior citizens - and all laughed at the comedy.

As would be expected of a movie with Mick Malloy and Judith Lucy there was quite a bit of swearing, but it was not overdone and the audience I sat with certainly enjoyed it!

Mick Malloy did a good job as the lazy bloke who joined the bowls club (three times) simply to get parking spaces (one for himself and two for leasing to others at a premium) but who has everything fall down on him when he is required to play or lose his membership.

Judith Lucy does a fine job as his local journalist/love-interest and there are fabulous performances from Bill Hunter, Frank Wilson, Monica Maughan, Lois Ramsey and many others.

John Clarke's dour role as the bad guy is not one of his funniest but he gives a solid performance.

The not so subtle swipes at pokies provide a bit of a serious note to this otherwise light comedy.

I'm sure that those who enjoyed The Castle and The Dish would also enjoy this movie.

I was reticent to see this flick before reading the external reviews and user comments posted here. Why? Firstly because Mick Malloy's humour can (in my humble opinion) be pretty crass and over the top, evidenced by his ill fated shemozzle of a television show some years back. And secondly because good Aussie comedy films are sadly as rare as the Tassie Tiger.

Sensibly Mick has restrained his natural comedic exuberance in this surprisingly watchable movie. Who would have thought that a bowls club would provide the setting for one of the funniest Australian films in years. The cast is excellent with familiar local old timers all putting in believable performances.

Interesting to see John Clarke playing the villain in this piece. It's a one dimensional part but JC still adds a touch of class, as always. Good to see Judith Lucy also getting a Guernsey or should I saw bowls uniform on the big screen. She's a real talent, pity a number of her retorts were expletives. Her own material is a lot wittier. Interesting character though. Bowls reporter on a local rag. How low on the journalist food chain can one get!!

Crackerjack may not be the funniest film I've seen this year but it's certainly an enjoyable diversion, well worth a look. Lots of other people obviously agree with me as it's headed to be the biggest grossing Australian film this year. Good to see someone finally make a quirky, gentle comedy without trying to sledgehammer the laughs like so many Australian 'comedies' before it.

Finally a bit of trivia. If you're wondering which Aussie Rules team Mick supports check out the flag on his workstation. Also look out for his old partner in crime, Tony Martin doing the announcing in the final bowls scene.