December Boys

Need a pleasant evening with mildly funny entertainment? Need some beautiful scenery you've probably not seen before? Need to see Harry Potter get some? This might be a good choice.

Daniel Radcliffe plays the oldest of a group of orphans in Australia's Outback who are given a summer holiday at the beach. Each boy has a different experience. Each of the residents of the small community have unique reaction to the boys. And what Australian movie would be complete without Jack Thompson. His is not the star, but clearly an important fixture.

This movie is about community - about family. We all have a love-hate relationship with our families, either conscious or subconsciously.

As truly interesting as any of the characters is the Black Stallion. What was the point of that?

This movie has funny bits for anyone who has had a summer vacation in a totally foreign environment. It might also appeal to someone who was once an awkward lonely boy. Otherwise this movie is at best a look at Australia most of us rarely see.

Watch this movie with someone who won't notice that the music comes from a decade after the events supposedly happened.