The Black Balloon

Review by Sean Lynch

It's really great to have seen the increase in quality of the Australian film industry over the last five years or so.

If only they weren't all exactly the same film!

Last year we were given the press run around with the underwhelming croc flick Rogue, this year, we've been given another in Black Water. In the realm of earthy suburban dramas in 2007, we were given the Sundance hit Clubland (about a teenage boy having to deal with a brother with autism) - in 2008 we have The Black Balloon... about a teenage boy dealing with a brother with autism.

It's a real shame too, because this superb Aussie flick deserves so much more than being labelled (as it most certainly will) as "just another Clubland".

The flick follows (the surprisingly buffed - for a fifteen year old at least) Thomas Mollison. He's about to turn 16, and his autistic brother Charlie embarrasses him - as do his parents.

When his pregnant Mother (Toni Collette, who is at her best in a long time here) is confined to stress related bed rest, he is put in charge of Charlie and with the help of his new girlfriend Jackie (Gemma Ward), Thomas faces his biggest challenge yet.

Aiming less for laughs than Clubland achieved, The Black Balloon hits all the right notes in the realistic drama department - and most importantly, never out stays it's welcome. The performances are superb, with Collette giving such a rich and layered performance (bar the odd over-the-top use of Aussie twang) while newcomer Gemma Ward (a former flame of the late Heath Ledger) is instantly lovable. The youngster possesses such poise and confidence, its astonishing to think that she hasn't been snapped up by casting directors prior to this.

While some may question the need to make Balloon a 1980s "period piece" (it really has no effect on the story, and there are a ridiculous amount of era-continuity problems ranging from subtle to glaringly obvious), director Elissa Down presents such a lovely visual scape throughout the entire film.

The real strength of the film is how well Down enables the audience to empathies with the film's characters and their struggle dealing with such unfortunate circumstances. Charlie (who has both autism and A.D.D) gets so insanely annoying and frustrating to watch (think of the most annoying 3 year old you've ever encountered at a supermarket), you can't help but feel the anger and frustration swell inside of you. Then it hits you - imagine what it would be like to live through this every day (just as thousands of Aussie families do)?

It is nothing short of heartbreaking - but to see the genuine love that Collette's character has in her eyes everytime Charlie walks into the room is nothing short of heartwarming as well.

An extremely well-made, relatable Aussie flick (without a croc, "struth", or kangaroo reference in sight) which is yet another step forward in the quest for Australian films to be compete on the same level as any international fare.

We only get to see half a dozen Aussie flicks a year, let's just hope this is the last time we see doubles of each!

3 out of 5

The Black Balloon
Australian release: 6th March, 2008
Cast: Rhys Wakefield, Gemma Ward, Luke Ford, Erik Thomson, Toni Collette
Director: Elissa Down
Movie Website: Official Website