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Black Balloon, The
EMAILPRINTNeoClassics Films Ltd

Generally favorable reviews
Based on 12 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 1 votes
Read user comments
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Movie Info
Genre(s): Drama
Written by:
Elissa Down
Jimmy Jack
Directed by: Elissa Down
Release Date:
Theatrical: December 5, 2008
Running Time: 97 minutes, Color
Origin: Australia
Summary
RATING: Not Rated
Starring Toni Collette, Rhys Wakefield, Luke Ford, Erik Thomson, and Gemma Ward
When Thomas and his family move to a new home and he has to start at a new school, all he wants is to fit in. When his pregnant mother has to take things easy, his father Simon puts him in charge of his autistic older brother Charlie. Thomas, with the help of his new girlfriend Jackie, faces his biggest challenge yet. Charlie's unusual antics take Thomas on an emotional journey that causes his pent-up frustrations about his brother to pour out - in a story that is funny, confronting, and ultimately heart-warming. (NeoClassics Films Ltd)
Also On The Web: Internet Movie Database Official Studio Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Los Angeles Times Sheri Linden
For the most part, this unblinking family drama packs a visceral punch. Thomas' journey toward acceptance is blessedly free of noble lessons and filled with real people.
Read Full Review >New York Post Lou Lumenick
Doesn't sugarcoat the difficulties faced by this family, but this small gem has a very satisfying ending.
Read Full Review >Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert
Luke Ford's performance as Charlie is a convincing tour de force. You may recall him as Brendan Fraser's heroic son in "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor." Rhys Wakefield, in his first feature role, is a good casting decision, suggesting inner turmoil without overacting.
Read Full Review >Chicago Tribune Michael Phillips
At its sharpest Elissa Down's feature directorial debut is guided by intense, rough-edged emotional swings that feel authentically alive, even when the script settles for tidiness.
Read Full Review >The Hollywood Reporter Megan Lehmann
Much has been made of supermodel Gemma Ward's doll-like features, but there's nothing plastic about her debut performance in the charming Australian indie The Black Balloon.
Read Full Review >Variety Russell Edwards
Collette acts as an anchor for the ensemble, but the young leads credibly hold their own onscreen.
Read Full Review >Village Voice Scott Foundas
Within its resolutely mainstream parameters, The Black Balloon courses with a firsthand feel for languorous Aussie summers, the shifting scales of love and hate in sibling relationships, and the earned wit that helps families cope with difficult situations.
Read Full Review >The New York Times Stephen Holden
Ms. Collette’s Maggie is the film's prime mover. This wonderful Australian actress, who hasn't a shred of vanity, virtually disappears into the complicated characters she plays, and Maggie is one of the strongest.
Read Full Review >Entertainment Weekly Lisa Schwarzbaum
Toni Collette gives it the old "Little Miss Sunshine" try in The Black Balloon as an edge-of-kooky, very pregnant mama presiding over a chaotic household.
Read Full Review >Chicago Reader Andrea Gronvall
Cringe-inducing when it's not cliched, this brassy, vulgar 2008 comedy from Australia mines mental disabilities for laughs.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this movie is 9.0 (out of 10) based on 1 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
