As spectator sports go, few can compare with football, rugby and golf. But lawn bowls?

Blackball is a British comedy inspired by the story of Griff Sanders, a self-styled John McEnroe the bowling green who received a nationwide ban from the game for excessive swearing.

The fictionalised film centres on Cliff Starkey (a big-screen debut for TV comic actor Paul Kaye) and his Rocky-style rise and fall from local bowls maverick to national sporting hero.

Kaye, who made his name as the impertinent interviewer Dennis Pennis and who starred in the BBC drama Two Thousand Acres of Sky, is joined by a stellar cast of comedians modern and traditional.

The setting is Torquay on The English Riviera, where bowling is reserved for pensioners and is taken very seriously indeed.

The local leading light is Ray Speight (James Cromwell), conservative and stuffy, and Torquay's home grown hero for over 20 years.

But now his title is threatened. Starkey, a young pretender from the wrong side of town, is daring to go up against him.

Armed with his sexy bad-boy persona, a flashy American agent Rick (Vince Vaughn) and an army of screaming female fans, Cliff is a fresh and exciting new sex symbol in the game. In fact, he is fast turning lawn bowls into the biggest spectator sport in England.

To add insult to injury, Cliff's biggest fan is his new girlfriend Kerry (Alice Evans), who also happens to be Ray's daughter.

This hilarious and life affirming new British comedy is a classic tale of triumph over adversity that will quite literally bowl you over!

Johnny Vegas has a good role as Cliff's larger-than-life best mate, and it's good to see veterans like Bernard Cribbins in meaty character parts.

A modest but likeable distraction, then.

Starring Paul Kaye, James Cromwell, Johnny Vegas, Vince Vaughn, Bernard Cribbins, Imelda Staunton, Mark Little.

Updated: 10:23 Friday, September 12, 2003