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- 2007
- PG-13
- Warner Independent Pictures (WIP)
- 1 h 45 m
- 2007
- PG-13
- Warner Independent Pictures (WIP)
- 1 h 45 m
Summary Based on the classic Michael Noonan novel, December Boys is the story of four orphan teenagers growing up behind the closed doors of a Catholic convent in outback Australia during the 1960s. As the boys watch younger kids get adopted by loving families, they begin to realize that as they get older, their turn may never come. But the boys...
Directed By: Rod Hardy
Written By: Ronald Kinnoch, Michael Noonan, Marc Rosenberg
- 2007
- PG-13
- Warner Independent Pictures (WIP)
- 1 h 45 m
- 2007
- PG-13
- Warner Independent Pictures (WIP)
- 1 h 45 m
December Boys
56
6.2
Where to Watch
Summary Based on the classic Michael Noonan novel, December Boys is the story of four orphan teenagers growing up behind the closed doors of a Catholic convent in outback Australia during the 1960s. As the boys watch younger kids get adopted by loving families, they begin to realize that as they get older, their turn may never come. But the boys...
Directed By: Rod Hardy
Written By: Ronald Kinnoch, Michael Noonan, Marc Rosenberg
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 21 Critic Reviews
56
52% Positive
11 Reviews
11 Reviews
48% Mixed
10 Reviews
10 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 21 Critic Reviews
56
52% Positive
11 Reviews
11 Reviews
48% Mixed
10 Reviews
10 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
This charming tale of a quartet of Australian orphans who share a life-altering holiday in the 1960s should appeal to sentimental adults old enough to wax nostalgic over their own adolescences.
The film's dramatic moments are small but exquisitely rendered so that you feel the emotions experienced so many years ago. The film lingers afterward in your mind like a favorite vacation that triggered moments of sheer intensity.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 17 User Ratings
6.2
47% Positive
8 Ratings
8 Ratings
41% Mixed
7 Ratings
7 Ratings
12% Negative
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 17 User Ratings
6.2
47% Positive
8 Ratings
8 Ratings
41% Mixed
7 Ratings
7 Ratings
12% Negative
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
The story of this film is very touching: focusing on four young Australian orphans, the film portrays the end of childhood and the beginning of adolescence. The four boys are united by an immortal friendship strengthened by constant union. Having no family, they became family to one another. The eldest, in fact, no longer has any hope of knowing what it is to have a mother and father. They're sent by the orphanage to a small seashore village as a birthday present but, on this trip, their bonds of friendship and brotherhood will be tested when they suspect that a couple of local residents may be thinking of adopting one of them. It's also a moment of discovery of sexuality. The four are already curious about women, but only one really is old enough to do their sexual initiation.
The cast revolves around four young actors, being the oldest and most famous of them Daniel Radcliffe, the eternal "Harry Potter". Lee Cormie, Christian Byers and James Fraser, three actors unknown to me so far, complete the quartet. I think they were all excellent in their respective roles, being the youngest of all to assume the role of narrating the story, in hindsight. Each one will overcome their personal challenges and will mature with it, which makes the film gradually more serious, mature and emotive. At the end, the most emotional scene shows us how that friendship has surpassed the test of time. A word of praise for the choice of filming locations, with beautiful maritime landscapes and enchanting beaches.
I think most people who see this movie do it because of Daniel Radcliffe but, after watching it, I think it has a lot more to offer. The whole cast was very good, the place is beautiful but, above all, the story told is very touching.
Report
The filmmakers can't decide whether to trust the period innocence of the book (and play down their casting coup) or let the young man rip as a preteen-babe magnet... So December Boys splits the difference -- safely, dully.
The movie is mildly notorious for a (relatively chaste) scene in which Radcliffe's character loses his virginity. But if you're looking to watch this former child star grownup, track down his classic guest turn on TV's "Extras" instead.
Bland and completely uninspiring.
Radcliffe is good at showing vulnerability but without the skills to give it gradation. The magic doesn't work for him this time.
If Daniel Radcliffe is hoping for an acting life after Harry Potter, he might want to be choosier than this cloying little Australian number.
I spent the movie with a feeling that something would happen that impact, and it did. I was surprised, especially with the furl of the story. I cried of course, with the relation of friendship that was established through the brothers during the film. Definitely I could see the lyricism and depth that the film suggests. Outside the tremendous opportunity to put Radcliffe highlighted, and the film is all of the little boy Misty, who's there at the bottom of the poster. I really enjoyed... shows the importance of friendship, being given to family when we oportunide of having it. A star for the landscape, found it was fabulous.
A star for the performance of Dan, I appreciated a lot. A star for the decision at the end of Sparks. It was very meaningful. A star for the end of the movie, thought it was beautiful.
Report
Production Company
Australian Film Finance Corporation (AFFC),
Becker Entertainment,
Best FX (Boom Sound),
MB 2 Film & Media GmbH,
The South Australian Film Corporation,
Village Roadshow Pictures
Release Date Sep 14, 2007
Duration 1 h 45 m
Rating PG-13
Tagline After that summer nothing would ever be the same again.
Awards
Giffoni Film Festival
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
Australian Writers' Guild
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
