Crackerjack (2002)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Director:

Paul Moloney

Writers:

Mick Molloy (written by)
Richard Molloy (written by)

Release Date:

7 November 2002 (Australia)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

It's on for young and old

Plot:

When dwindling membership and increasing overheads makes a local bowling club and prime candidate for a takeover...

Plot Keywords:

Scam | Lawn Bowls | Parking Space

Awards:

4 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Mick Molloy	...	Jack Simpson
Bill Hunter	...	Stan Coombs
Frank Wilson	...	Len Johnson
Monica Maughan	...	Eileen
John Clarke	...	Bernie Fowler
Lois Ramsey	...	Gwen
Samuel Johnson	...	Dave Jackson
Judith Lucy	...	Nancy Brown
Cliff Ellen	...	Norm
Bob Hornery	...	Ron
Peter Aanensen	...	Edgar
Esme Melville	...	Mrs. Jenkins
John Flaus	...	Cliff Carew
Lois Collinder	...	Joyce
Paul McCarthy	...	Barry

Runtime:

92 min

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Singapore:PG | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Corowa, New South Wales, Australia

Company:

A Million Monkeys

Trivia:

The 'Wheel of Cheese' incident actually happened. While the writers were visiting various bowls clubs for inspiration, one of them explained the sordid story of a club investigation into a member using the cheese for a sandwich instead of the regulation cheese and biscuits.

Goofs:

Factual errors: The 'Flipper', where the bowl curves in both directions, is utterly impossible.

Quotes:

Stan Coombs: And remember, this is a game of skill, touch and patience. A true revealer of character.
Jack Simpson: All it's revealing right now is two inches of arse-crack poking out the top of my pants!

Movie Connections:

References From Russia with Love (1963)

Soundtrack:

Reckless

A cracker of a film...

Being dragged along to the cinema by my best friend, I was rather worried when she said "There's a new ozzie film called Crackerjack, wanna see? oh... come on... please"

I grimacingly acquiesced. The lead is played by Mick Molloy, well known to the Australian radio airwaves, and was actually pleasantly surprised.

The film had a lot more substance than one would think from the advertising, and the jokes were a great deal quicker, and more humourous than you would imagine.

The performances were brilliant, especially from the 'old folk' all Australian legends in their own rights, and I was actually touched by Mick Molloy's acting. Judith Lucy made her foray from stand-up comedy to acting successfully as well.

It was well worth the money, and I think I'll even borrow it when it comes out on video.