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.
