Rating: PG-13
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Teresa Palmer, Christian Byers, Lee Cormie, James Fraser
Directed by: Rod Hardy, Chris Langman (II), Ric Beecroft

• Official Site

December Boys is the adaptation of a novel by Michael Noonan. This coming-of-age story revolves around four boys, bound together by their birth month, from a Catholic orphanage in the Australian outback. The orphanage receives a donation and decides to send the boys to the seaside for their birthday.

Within the change of environment, the boys meet a young couple who are unable to bear children. There they compete to be the most adoptable, and they severely test their friendships to the brink of rivalries. The boys eventually overcome it, sealing their friendships together forever as the December Boys, discovering the real meaning of life, love, friendship and family.

{mosgoogle right}The film is set in beautiful South Australia. From the red desert land, to the beautiful clear waters of Kangaroo Island, Australia is shown exquisitely in this movie. The cinematography is a unique part of the production, as the camera pans out into the expanse of the land, showing how isolated they are from the rest of the world. I really don't think I have ever seen the harsh lighting of Australia presented so beautifully in a movie.

The story is told through Misty’s (Cormie) point of view, who is the youngest of the four. It is clear from the start that he is the one most longing to be adopted. Throughout the film, he constantly chases and struggles with this dream. Misty eventually begins to understand the real meaning of family, learning from his experiences at the beach.

Cormie is, by far, one of the most brilliant actors of his age. The hopeful gaze was shown so intensely within his eyes, he brought me to the brink of tears at several points in the movie.

Maps (Radcliffe), being the oldest, is focused on taking care of the other three younger boys. Despite his knowledge and awareness of an upcoming change—whether it is him leaving the orphanage as he turns of age or the other boys being adopted—Maps quietly looks after the others regardless. The chemistry between the four young actors is palpable. On screen, they seem to have known each other their whole lives.

One can’t help but compare Maps’ character with Harry. At first glance, they have their similarities - an orphan, maturing much faster than he has to. But as the movie delves deeper, the gap between the two characters becomes much larger. While Harry wears his heart on his sleeve, Maps is a very quiet character, repressing many of his emotions. Once Maps meets Lucy (Palmer), he finds himself opening up to her. The subtleties of the emotions are played amazingly well by Radcliffe. I had to keep reminding myself that this is his first project outside the Potter films, even before beginning Extras and Equus.

Radcliffe makes a distinct improvement in his acting abilities, particularly when compared with the Potter films' reliance on big-budget effects. A good example is the Australian accent he imitates for December Boys. He avoids the generalization many actors (even Australian ones) make when putting on stereotypical nasal “bogan” accents. Dan’s accent was spot on.

December Boys is an intense, but beautiful movie. It shows the unpredictability and vulnerability of life, and what one can learn from their experiences as an adolescent.

Seeing this film expels the thought of Dan being typecast into Harry Potter for the rest of his life. December Boys shows that he is convincing enough to become one of the best young actors of our generation.

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rr   |2008-01-09 22:00:19 i JUST got this movie, and I'm so exited to see it with my friend tomorrow. it sounds like such a touching story, and the previews were great. i really want to see how radcliffe did on the accent.[smiley=think] Reply 0   0

Afnan   |2008-01-04 08:16:41 I watched this movie last year. I got surprised at certain parts. It was a little weird to see Dan playing him but he did well nonetheless. I liked the movie very much. Reply 0   0

chitra   |2007-09-17 05:22:50 wanna c dis movieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.xciting[smiley=cool] Reply 0   0

SREENIKA   |2007-09-17 00:40:46 Waiting egerly to see it[smiley=happy][smiley=happy][smiley=happy] Reply 0   0

Danielforever   |2007-09-16 07:27:47 I have not seen the movie yet!!! I'm sad that DB is not screened my country!!![smiley=sad] Reply 0   0

Laura   |2007-09-14 11:42:41 Thanks for your review, it was great to read more about December Boys. I can not wait to see it! Reply 0   0

Someone....   |2007-09-13 13:34:39 wow i cant wait 2 c dan in a movie besides hp!! im gonna b in the theatres the first day it comes out!! =] Reply 0   0

Mione19   |2007-09-13 13:24:20 Dan's amazing. He's learning so much in so small space of time, becoming such a great actor. I just love him. Reply 0   0

Valerie Honey.Canada   |2007-09-13 12:01:15 Thrilled to see a link to info on Toronto Int Film Fest reached at AOL. I work at this Festival as a volunteer, on hearing the news about Dan's film (way back in 2005) I asked Robin Rhodes TIFF'S International Programmer, if the film would be entered in our 2006 Fest lineup. But he said that we hadn't been approached about it. We can't ask the producers ect. to participate. Thanks From Moose in the Muskeg. Val H. Reply 0   0

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3.25 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."