December Boys

Review by Clint Morris

Aside from those that caught his guest stint on Ricky Gervais’ amusing sitcom Extras (in which he played an over-sexed and narcissistic version of himself) most probably assume Daniel Radcliffe’s range stops with Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone and ends with (he’ll be 40 by the time he does it, but he’ll be in it) Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Prepare to be surprised. Seems the young British face behind cinemas most popular teenage character has a few more tricks in his shimmering sack.

Radcliffe’s harbouring a chamber of secrets ya see, because in the new Aussie film December Boys - yep, he’d be the investment; the marketing angle and so on - he pulls a mighty big rabbit out of his hat. He’s so good here in fact he could probably stop taking orders from the ‘Phoenix’ now and send Potter back home on the loco.

In the Rod Hardy directed drama, Radliffe plays the oldest of four boys, all orphans, who are shipped off – they were picked over the other orphans because this month, December, is their birthday – to stay in a beautiful seaside retreat. The only houses on the shore belong to the couple (Jack Thompson and Kris McQuaide) taking care of the boys whilst they’re there; a genuinely nice young couple (Victoria Hill and Sullivan Stapleton) who’ve got some issues, and a grizzled-old fisherman (Ralph Cotterill) who spends his days trying to catch the ocean’s biggest fish.

The boys, not surprisingly, have such a great time there, that they begin to ‘put on a show’ for the young couple (Maps, played by Radcliffe, seems less keen on impressing them and more interested in romancing the local girlie, played by Theresa Palmer), hoping one of them will be offered a permanent home.  Not unexpectedly, tensions arise and the boys clash as they vie for the title of ‘newly adopted child’.

Though it’s not of the same ilk as some of Australia’s grand dramas – it’s a cliché, but it’s true, they don’t make them like they used to! – December Boys is still a very enjoyable picture with much of the credit due to its young performers.

In addition to the wonderful Radcliffe (who does an OK Aussie accent too!), Cormie (Darkness Falls), and particularly, the great Jack Thompson – in one of his best roles in years – shine. In her few short scenes, Palmer (2:37) also leaves her mark.

Hardy’s made a striking beautiful and poignant movie that may have its miniscule problems (the tone’s a little see-saw’y for starters) but for the most part, is a commendable achievement.

You’ll laugh; you’ll cry, but most of all, you’ll feel goosebumpy good by the end of this.

It mightn’t be a six, but it gives the Aussie team a nice couple of runs up on the board.

3.5 out of 5

December Boys
Australian release: 20th September, 2007
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Jack Thompson, Lee Cormie, Christian Byers, James Fraser, Kris McQuade, Victoria Hill, Sullivan Stapleton, Frank Gallacher
Director: Rod Hardy
Website: Click here.