December Boys
Thursday, 13 Sep 2007 09:07
Daniel Radcliffe makes his first non-Potter big screen performance in December Boys
Directed by Rod Hardy, out September 14th in cinemas, starring Daniel Radcliffe, Lee Cormie, Christian Byers, James Fraser, Teresa Palmer, Victoria Hill, running time 105 minutes.
In a nutshell
Harry Potter comes of age.
What’s it all about
Four friends nicknamed Maps (Radcliffe), Misty (Cormie), Spark (Byers) and Spit (Fraser) are orphan teenagers who are brought up in a Catholic convent in 1960s Australia and their greatest wish is to be adopted. All of their birthdays fall in the month of December (hence the title) and as a birthday present they are given a holiday to stay with a devout couple who live by the seaside.
During their stay, the boys experience a coming-of-age lesson about rivalry, jealousy, love and friendship as they compete to become adopted by a young neighbouring couple called Fearless and Teresa who are conveniently childless. Misty appears to be the keenest to become adopted and wholeheartedly thrusts himself into the activity of appearing lovable. Meanwhile Maps enjoys a sexual awakening in a cave with a precocious blonde named Lucy (Palmer).
Who’s in it?
The first non-Potter film for Daniel Radcliffe was always going to be a test. However, he already got a big break thanks to his critically acclaimed West End performance in Equus, which, for those who saw it, proved that the wizard boy really can act – in a role that requires him to be darkly insular and emotionally stilted. As the oldest boy Maps, Radcliffe is not quite as impressive as one might have hoped. His Australian accent is impeccable, but his credentials as a rebellious lothario are far less believable.
Everyday actions like smoking a cigarette are painfully awkward, his movements remain robotic and his face blank. Radcliffe has a lot further to go if he wants to prove himself as an actor propelled to fame for more than just looking like Harry.
The true star of the movie is in fact Lee Cormie, who puts in an excellent performance as the lovable but fiercely determined Misty (his older character also narrates the story). His performance is subtle, yet convincing and he manages to make the most of an extremely average script.
As an example
"After that summer nothing would ever be the same again." – Narrator (Misty).
Likelihood of a trip to the Oscars
Based on the classic novel by Michael Noonan, December Boys would contain about the correct proportions of nostalgia, sentimentality and lesson-learning to warrant Oscars if the story dared to be slightly more courageous. As palatable as it is however, a nod from the Academy panel seems unlikely.
What the others say
"The film squanders its rich sense of adolescent discovery with an undercurrent of sexism and the uninteresting ebb and flow of water-logged metaphor." – Slant magazine.
"A moving coming-of-age story that canvasses faith and family, the December Boys reminds us why our childhoods often hold the key to our heart." – Urban Cinefile.
So is it any good
December Boys has lofty ambitions. Its themes are those of nostalgia, friendship, loyalty and ambition. One gets the feeling throughout that it is trying to be Stand By Me, however, it doesn’t compare and the film is distinctly ordinary. There is nothing wrong with the movie but its topics are too oft-frequented by filmmakers to survive being unremarkable.
Its script is too quaint, its relationships too predictable and its tone too sentimental. As such, it does provide enjoyable viewing but the December Boys is destined to be nothing more than a Channel 5 afternoon classic.
6/10
Natasha Hegde.
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To see the film trailer click here
And to read what Daniel Radcliffe told us at the UK premiere click here
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