Crackerjack is a 2002 Australian comedy film directed by Paul Moloney and starring Mick Molloy, Samuel Johnson, Monica Maughan, Lois Ramsay, Bob Hornery, and Judith Lucy. The story revolves around a ten-pin bowling club in Yarraville that has been a fixture in the community for decades. However, the club's membership has been dwindling due to aging members and increased competition from other leisure activities.
When the club's president suddenly dies, his grandson, Jack Simpson (Johnson), returns home from travelling in Europe to take over the club. However, he finds that the club is on the verge of bankruptcy due to the rising overheads. Jack meets up with his grandfather's old rival, Stan Coombs (Molloy), who proposes a wager. If Jack's team can beat Stan's team in a winner-takes-all bowl off, then the club will be saved.
With the help of the club's eccentric members, including the feisty Edna (Maughan) and the wily Len (Hornery), Jack sets about assembling a team of misfits to take on Stan's champions. Along the way, he falls for the club's barmaid, Tracey (Lucy), and learns the value of community and tradition.
The film features several hilarious set pieces, including a scene where Edna goes on a vandalism spree to keep the rival club from getting a permit and a subplot involving a group of old men who use the club as their personal clubhouse. The climax features a thrilling bowl off that is sure to get audiences cheering.
Crackerjack is a feel-good movie that celebrates the importance of community and the power of friendship. The film was a box office success and spawned a TV spinoff.