Backyard Ashes

source: Backyard Ashes

source: Backyard Ashes

I wish I could say that this was a feel good movie that was worth the watch, but I couldn't help cringing through most of it. The movie is set in a regional Australian city, and the conflict between the working class and their employers is set up early on, and is played out through cricket. If I start with what the film does well; some effort was made to show some diversity in the casting (which hasn't always been done in Australian movie history). The film does have some amusing moments, but those moments were rare. The film fails in that all the characters are appalling caricatures that are barely relatable to anyone. The management staff at the factory speak in the most absurd British accent, that would have been laughable even in a period piece set in aristocratic British society in the 19th century. Some of the humour (mocking the Brits for drinking soft drink over beer) and mocking the New Zealander by making some vague 'sheep' reference, just made me and my family cringe rather than laugh. As an Aussie, I am proud of my culture and Australian film legacy, but too often film makers try and play to archaic stereotypes of 'aussie-ness' that aren't really steeped in reality. This is unfortunately one of those films.

I really loved this movie, and for someone who loathes the game of cricket, that's saying something. Not a big budget movie by any means, it made the best of what it did have. Great acting and a well thought out soundtrack were two of the things that made this movie very watchable. It also showed a community spirit that I personally envied. References to Jardine (during the Bradman era) and his unsavoury bodyline tactics were fun and the inclusion of the poor cat/s as one of the major premises for the grudge match was hilarious. Altogether, it was a tale of the underdog making good and a happy ending for most people. Worth a watch.

True down to earth Aussie movie. Funny as! Little bit slow at times with some pauses throughout. But great. Oh yeah and only cricket fans will understand "Jardine and Bodyline"

I was watching this movie and I was like 'why am I watching this movie!?!' It was totally not OLS and was very bad in my opinion. CAT is better than OLS!!!!!

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.

I love locally made low-budget movies so have watched my fair share. When I saw this was coming out, I had high hopes as it just sounded like another cult movie possibility. However when you compare this to Australian movies like Crackerjack and The Castle - it really doesn't cut the mustard for a 'low budget' movie. Felt they could've done a lot more with a national past time like backyard cricket and the movie was padded out with a weak storyline. The characters had no depth, the English ones were way over the top with their accents. I think this movie made me laugh once. You can probably tell I'm disappointed, that's because I am.

People have been ranting and raving about all these excellent comedies coming out of Hollywood, but they are often unaware of these low-budget films that can put them to shame. This is one of them. Dougie Waters (yes, a pun on the great Doug Walters)loves a game of backyard cricket with his friends Spock, Merv, Bin, Taka, Norm and his daughter Kerri. However, when Edward Lords, a pompous, uptight English administrator moves in and fires Norm, Dougie and co. start to resent him. Tensions reach a head when Dougie accidentally kills Edward's prize-winning cat, Dexter. A backyard cricket match of epic proportions is arranged, with the winner keeping the cat's ashes. Andrew S. Gilbert of "Round the Twist" fame heads the fairly unknown but excellent cast as Dougie, and he captures the "larrikin Aussie" character perfectly. Felix Williamson plays the moustache-twirling Edward Lords, the villain of the story. It'd be easy to turn Lords into the all-evil character, but Williamson manages to give the impression that Lords is under a lot of pressure. Damian Callinan, another of the outstanding actors in the film, plays Spock. It's fitting that he provides most of the one-liners in the film (when speaking to the English players: "Better not touch those beers, boys. they'd be too cold for ya") seeing that he is a comedian. You can see that Callinan relishes the role, and never misses a beat with his jokes. The film has also provided the chance for young actors to get on screen as well. This young cast is headed by Maddison Smith-Catlin, and she does a fine job of playing the young Australian version of the girl-next-door. Something tells me that we may see her in a big Hollywood comedy in 10 years' time. All in all, this is a well-acted, smartly written, wonderfully directed Aussie cricket comedy that outperforms many big Hollywood ones on a $285,000 budget. I really hope they make this into a franchise, but that's probably just wishful thinking. Overall, 10/10

Really, a 5 1/2, (hence, my summary title) but that wasn't an option. I was a bit bored at first, but it was a rainy, lazy Sunday, so I kicked back and sat through it--and you know what? As it went on, it grew on me. I don't watch cricket, nor do I understand the rules, but it doesn't take an aficionado, or a genius to figure out that backyard cricket is a pastime over in Australia. In a way, this movie is an ode to the love of the game, family, and friends. You won't get big laughs out of this one (at least it didn't happen for me, and I suspect it won't happen for most), but you will find yourself smiling, and that smile will remain for awhile after the movie ends. Another thing about this low budget little movie is that it is clean, good fun (except for a bit of swearing, but nothing to write home about). It's something the whole family can enjoy, or an alternative if you just need a break from the raunchy stuff. Not every comedy has to be full of cursing, douche-bags, and tits--something Hollywood seems to have forgotten. This is a cute, feel-good movie about the possibility of making friends, even with your enemies, that puts some faith back in humanity. Yes, there were clichés, and it was a bit cheesy, but c'mon, admit it: sometimes you're in the mood for a nice little chunk of cheese. With a few crackers on the side. And a beer. If you've got nothing to do on a rainy evening, kick back with the family, pass the cheese and crackers, crack open that beer, and give it a shot. You might be surprised.