Big Fridge International Film Festival:
The Ballad of Bobby Shine is a brilliantly eccentric and heartfelt comedy that celebrates community, chaos, and the spirit of football. Through the quirky tale of an amateur women's team teetering on the edge of relegation, the film delivers a rich mix of small-town charm, sporting desperation, and otherworldly miscommunication - with ghostly interference adding a delightfully unexpected twist.
At the heart of the story is Joy, the devoted widow trying her best to honour her late husband's legacy, and Ethel, the hilariously unpredictable clairvoyant sister whose mystical "help" leads to some very unhelpful outcomes. The ensemble cast shines, capturing the tight-knit absurdity of this ragtag team with humour and heart. Their chemistry makes every blunder and bizarre moment utterly endearing.
The structure-blending a student documentary framing device with the team's underdog story - adds another layer of charm and reflexivity. There's a genuine affection for both the sport and the people who keep it alive at the grassroots level. The Ballad of Bobby Shine hits all the right notes: it's offbeat, full of soul, and a touching tribute to unlikely legacies.
At the heart of the story is Joy, the devoted widow trying her best to honour her late husband's legacy, and Ethel, the hilariously unpredictable clairvoyant sister whose mystical "help" leads to some very unhelpful outcomes. The ensemble cast shines, capturing the tight-knit absurdity of this ragtag team with humour and heart. Their chemistry makes every blunder and bizarre moment utterly endearing.
The structure-blending a student documentary framing device with the team's underdog story - adds another layer of charm and reflexivity. There's a genuine affection for both the sport and the people who keep it alive at the grassroots level. The Ballad of Bobby Shine hits all the right notes: it's offbeat, full of soul, and a touching tribute to unlikely legacies.
