Backyard Ashes (2013)

How sad is this?

Don't listen to the negative reviews

I saw this movie before reading any reviews, and I thought it was very funny. I was very surprised to see the overwhelmingly negative reviews this film received from critics.

I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.

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.

Backyard Ashes looks like a low budget movie with a big budget relation to real life. Being an Indian and playing cricket with friends and family, I can truly relate to this movie. This was my 1st Australian movie that I have watched and I must admit it hit the right cords. Big budget movies generally focus more on the big names but this focused on everyone in the movie. It was a simple yet very honest movie. Loved ones getting together, playing a good game of cricket, the annoying and unfriendly neighbors, the old couple upstairs, the entire locality and the craziness that comes along. Its a good watch for a nice lazy afternoon....

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.

Alas! A failed attempt to stretch a very thin plot to ninety minutes. This story could've been laid out pretty quickly, after which the charming cast should've been able to knock pun after pun out of the park. Could have should have...Instead, the plot develops toe-curlingly slow, and then just deflates. The writer runs out of jokes, the editor runs out of film and the only ones enjoying themselves, seem to be the actors.I am truly sorry guys, but this one gets 1 point for the love that obviously went into it, and another for the amiable cast. Hey, at least somebody had a good time, right?