The Match

Why this winning British comedy did not receive a wider theatrical release is one of those puzzlements of film distribution. It has the same quirky charms, colorful misfit characters and "joie de vivre" as Local Hero, The Full Monty and Waking Ned Devine. In a Scottish village, teams from two rival pubs, the upscale L'Bistro and the "flea pit" Benny's, prepare for their annual soccer match, this year marking the 100th year the two teams have squared off. Benny's hasn't won a match in any of the preceding 99 years and, as stipulated by a bet made a century ago, if they lose this year, they'll be forced to close. Richard E. Grant is his sneering bad self as the owner of L'Bistro, with Ian Holm as the whiskey-soaked owner of Benny's (making an all-too-early exit), Bill Paterson (Comfort and Joy) as a bread deliveryman who introduces his apprentice to the community, and Tom Sizemore as a transplanted American. The outcome of the contest is never in doubt, but the characters are such good company they will feel like old friends by the time the last-second penalty kick is scored. Recommended. (K. Lee Benson)