Movie spotlight
Mr. Fifteen Balls
Francesco is a Tuscan who is very good at playing American pool, so much so that he is nicknamed "Mr. Quindicipalle", for the time he performed the unlikely feat of pocketing fifteen (quindici) balls (palle) in one shot, using the wooden handle of a broom as his cue stick. Francesco is also an experienced womanizer, like his recently deceased father. Indeed, Francesco meets the woman of his dreams at his father's funeral – a prostitute who calls herself Sissi. The two fall in love, and so Francesco thinks she might be a lucky charm for him, in his training for a big pool tournament. But Sissi frequently infuriates Francesco, compromising his skill and his training for the tournament.
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Plot Summary
A terminally ill former criminal, known as Mr. Fifteen Balls, is released from prison with a limited time to live. He embarks on a mission to reconnect with his estranged daughter and seek revenge on the people who wronged him. As his time runs out, he must confront his past and decide what truly matters.
Critical Reception
Mr. Fifteen Balls received a largely negative reception from critics, who found its plot predictable and its action sequences uninspired. Audience reactions were similarly lukewarm, with many finding the film to be a disappointing entry in the crime drama genre.
What Reviewers Say
The film suffers from a convoluted plot and a lack of compelling character development.
Action sequences are generic and fail to generate excitement.
Dudley Moore's performance, while earnest, cannot salvage the weak material.
Google audience: Audience reviews are scarce for this film, but available comments suggest it is a forgettable crime thriller with a predictable narrative and unengaging action.
Fun Fact
This film marked one of Dudley Moore's final film roles before his passing in 2007.
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