Reviews

December Boys

Daniel Radcliffe's non-wizard cinematic vehicle

By PEG ALOI | September 19, 2007

2.0 Stars

VIDEO: Watch the trailer for December Boys.

Eagerly awaited by Harry Potter fans as Daniel Radcliffe’s first non-wizard cinematic vehicle, Rod Hardy’s nostalgic coming-of-age film (based on Michael Noonan’s novel) takes place in Australia in the late 1960s. Four orphans living in a remote convent are sent on holiday to a fishing village. Maps (Radcliffe) is the oldest, and beyond caring whether he gets adopted; he’s focused on Lucy (Teresa Palmer), the local Lolita. Spark (Christian Byers) and Spit (James Fraser) are rough imps; the youngest, artistic Misty (Lee Cormie), narrates. Lovely Teresa (Victoria Hill) and husband Fearless (Sullivan Stapleton) are carnival workers who befriend the boys, and when he overhears them discussing adoption, Misty ingratiates himself. Despite fine acting (Radcliffe is subtle and spot-on) and gorgeous visuals, the film flounders with silly fantasy sequences, a syrupy score, and an overwrought ending. The Year My Voice Broke meets Stand by Me? If only.

The girls of summer
The season for blockbusters, sequels, and . . . great roles for women?
Crossword: 'The big owe'
Beast needs food, beast gets food
Hairy Potter
Hormones submit to dreary Order
More

Topics: Reviews , Daniel Radcliffe , Harry Potter , Teresa Palmer

Comments

Add a Comment

Today's Event Picks

[FILM] THE LIFE OF A REPO MAN IS ALWAYS INTENSE: “THE BRATTLE SELECTS 2009”

Plus 2 more >>

ARTICLES BY PEG ALOI

NOBEL SON | December 05, 2008
A precious, hyperkinetic mess

THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PYJAMAS | November 17, 2008
A stirring glimpse at Europe's darkest hour

OUR DISAPPEARED | October 09, 2008
Fascinating historical clips mixed with personal interviews

BRITISH ADVERTISING FILMS OF 2008 | October 09, 2008
This year’s goodies revealed some notable new trends

SIXTY SIX | August 20, 2008
A pleasing, if unbalanced, period piece

See all articles by: PEG ALOI

Most Viewed

Most Emailed

WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE
As our planet edges closer to the apocalypse, the escapist, fantasy world of cryptids is suddenly coming to life

LOWER ALLSTON, YEAR SIX

PHOTOS: FIRE NEAR FENWAY
Charred grilled on Peterborough Street

BUSTING BALLS: 20 WAYS TO IMPROVE SPORTS
We blow the whistle on the ridiculous rules and quirks that make the games lame

REVIEW: ANIMAL COLLECTIVE, MERRIWEATHER POST PAVILION
Domino (2009)

DAILIES GO DARWIN
Reports of newspapers' death are exaggerated — but after the changes coming in 2009, will we still recognize them?

PHOTOS: FIRE NEAR FENWAY
Charred grilled on Peterborough Street

ADAM BOCK IS A GOOD LISTENER
Talking the talk

DANIEL NAGRIN
(1917–2008)

JOAN DIDION ON STAGE, SPALDING GRAY ON THE PAGE
Grief watch

HOT TOPICS

Daniel Day-Lewis , Jack Black , Michael Clayton , Michael Haneke , Osama bin Laden , Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Michael Jackson , Paris Hilton , Paul Thomas Anderson , Tommy Lee Jones