December Boys

Plot synopsis:
This film is a coming of age picture for the four main characters, and how their lives change over one Christmas holiday. The film is set in late 1960s Australia. Four orphan boys from a Roman Catholic orphanage in the outback of Australia  –  Maps, Misty, Spark and Spit  –  were all born in the month of December, and for their birthday, they are sent on a holiday to the beach to stay with Mr. and Mrs. McAnsh. While there, they meet Fearless, a man who claims to be the risk motorbike rider in the nearby carnival, and his wife, Teresa. Misty, Spark and Spit instantly become closer to Teresa, but Maps, eldest of the four, is still reluctant to talk to her. He instead finds more fun in spending time with an older teenage girl named Lucy, who had come to the beach to stay with her uncle. He often goes up to a place with strange rocks, and meets her there.
A few days later, the orphans peek through a window in Fearless' house to see Teresa undressing, but Misty, being the most religious of the four, throws a rock at the wall to make them go away. Misty runs back to Mr. McAnsh's house and looks through the small opening of a door to see someone in the shower, only to find that it is the sickly Mrs. McAnsh. They soon discover that she has breast cancer.
One night, Misty overhears Fearless talking to his friends about the possibility of adopting one of the orphans. Excited about the opportunity to finally have parents, he keeps it to himself until he decides to reveal it to a priest who has driven to the beach for the orphans' confessions. The other boys realise that he is taking too long, and once he is finished, they force it out of him with the threat of Spit spitting on him while he is pinned to the ground. Misty, Spark and Spit are eager to compete for the love of the seemingly perfect Fearless and Teresa, but Maps is less than excited, even saying to Lucy, "What's the big deal about parents, anyway?" Maps experiences his first kiss with Lucy, and soon loses his virginity to her in one of the caves of the Remarkable Rocks.
There, she tells him to promise that he will always remember her as his first. The next day, he goes up to the Remarkable Rocks, only to find Lucy is not there. Her uncle tells him that she's left the beach to return to her father, and will not likely be back until next summer. Heartbroken, he goes to the carnival to find Fearless and talk to him, but discovers that he is not a motorbike rider there, and instead cleans up after the animals. Furious that he'd lied all along, he finds a painting made by Misty of him as the son of Fearless and Teresa, and destroys it. Misty attacks him and hits him with the fragments of the frame he'd put the painting in, and the bond between the four orphans is broken.
Fearless finds Maps in the cave of the Remarkable Rocks, and explains to him what had really happened. It is revealed to that Fearless was formerly a bike rider, and did all of the stunts with Teresa riding on the back of the bike. Then, there was an accident that kept Teresa in the hospital for nearly a year, making her unable to have children. That was the reason they had wanted to adopt one of the orphans.
Maps returns to the beach and finds out from Spark and Spit that Misty has gone into the water, and is drowning. Maps goes after him despite the fact that he cannot swim. Both he and Misty nearly drown. Underwater, they open their eyes to see a vision of the Virgin Mary, possibly meaning that they are dying. Before they can reach out to it, the two boys are grabbed by Fearless and brought back to the shore. Maps and Misty reconcile with each other and the four are friends again.
The next day, the boys are called to Fearless' and Teresa's house for an announcement. There, they reveal the couple is going to adopt Misty. He takes leave of his friends and he watches on the front porch with Fearless and Teresa as the other three orphans walk away and begin playing on some rocks down the beach. Misty realises that they are his true family, and asks Fearless and Teresa if he can stay with them instead. They accept, and he returns home with the orphans.
Many decades later, Misty, as an old man, drives to the same beach along with the ashes of Maps, who had recently died while working as a priest in Africa helping refugees, and Lucy's ring that she gave to Maps on that holiday long ago. He meets up with Spark and Spit, and they toss the ashes and ring loose into the wind from the hill above the beach, remembering Maps and their time there, with a cheer to "The December Boys."

Tags: dramatic, boring

Review:
Daniel Radcliffe plays a very subdued character far removed from HARRY POTTER and shows that he has the talent to continue in the business as an adult.
The buzz for December Boys surely points to how Daniel Radcliffe will fare sans cloak, glasses and lightning bolt scar on his forehead, to star in a movie that's totally out of the Harry Potter franchise.
Based on a novel by Michael Noonan, December Boys tells the story of 4 orphans, all being born in the month of December, who were sent packing to a seaside village for a vacation, by virtue that it's a reward sent to the orphanage, and what better (lazier?) way to select the lucky few, than the ones celebrating their birthdays the same month.So we have Maps (Radcliffe), Misty (Lee Cormie), Sparks (Christian Byers) and Spit (James Fraser) sent on a journey that will test their close friendship, and as usual, each will come face to face with their individual challenge that will forever change their lives.
Each child however, have an episode directed around him, to similarly allow the audience to pick their preferred sub plots, involving a giant fish, a misunderstood motorcycle stuntman, dealing with mortality issues when their surrogate guardian has to battle disease, and of course, saving the best for last and for Radcliffe, first love, in the form of a young lolita Lucy (Teresa Palmer).Soon, their hot blooded young boy antics and rebellious streaks give way to a tone of seriousness, and there's where the movie adds its poignant gravitas.
Finally a movie where you actually care about the characters.The acting is marvelous, the story is touching and the scenery is magnificent.
It's a good movie, I really felt that I cared for what happened to the boys, especially Maps and Misty.Teresa Palmer as Lucy is absolutely beautiful, it's the first time I've laid my eyes on her.
I know the story, it doesn't feel like it would be so interesting when it's not the first time.All in all, this December boy gives the December boys a 7/10 stars.
Many of the indie/low budget films are far better than what is making the big dollars and getting the heavy promotion these days.December Boys is not a great film but it certainly is good and I found it very enjoyable.
.I have seen complete garbage nominated for Oscars in the past and lately I don't put too much stock into many movie critics that give "A" ratings to films that I cannot believe someone paid money to even make let alone ones that I would waste my money on.There's nothing wrong with a film that has a simple story line....a feel good movie thats enjoyable to watch.
Not all Radcliffe fans are squealing 10 year olds.The only thing I found worth to criticise in December Boys was the unclear time period and the time span in the aging of the characters at the end.
And obviously the 'present day' older boys are too old, in my opinion by a couple decades.Some say it was too sugar coated, etc...but there were many films in the golden age of Hollywood (which I loved) that would now be considered too chaste, too sweet, un-realistic...the list goes on and on.
Set in the late 60s, December Boys is a beautiful, poignant tale of adolescence and abandonment with the vast, awe-inspiring Australian outback as a backdrop, unraveled in the same vein as Stand By Me."What's the big deal about having parents anyway?" Maps (Daniel Radcliffe) retorts to his summer fling Lucy (Teresa Palmer).
Sparks (Christian Byers) is good with mechanical things, while Spit (James Fraser) is so named for what he does best.Having been given a glimpse of what the orphans' lives have been like together, you have an idea of where Maps' trend of thought comes from.
Rude awakenings and rejection are themes that most people can relate to after hardened years, but for children to already know it intimately at such an age is what makes December Boys the thoughtful tearjerker it is..
this film portrays this well.Excellent Cinema Photography and composition with some excellent stills and excellent script too with some pot shots at the ridiculous order that Nuns were and are today :( with their strange methods at handling Orphans not to mention their narrow minded beliefs.The acting by the 4 orphan boys was very convincing as was the portrayal of how young boys behave like smoking after lights out in bed, or how the awareness of the opposite sex awakened their senses.The orphans were the stars without a doubt the other adults competent enough Jack Thomson was somewhat wooden in his role.To sum up an enjoyable film devoid of any nasties ...
That something is the engaging performances of the two major boys - Daniel Radcliffe and Lee Cormie.The action takes place during a Christmas holiday of the late 60's or early 70's in Australia.
They are given a treat of a vacation at the shore provided by an older couple.The four are three pre-adolescents - Sparks, Spit, and Misty (Cormie) - and one older boy who acts as the big brother of the younger three.
The story is told by Misty as an adult and contains many, probably mis-remembered, events of that eventful vacation.The boys are hosted by an older couple with the man being played by Jack Thompson as Bandy.
Bandy's wife is ill with cancer, and there are some interesting scenes of interactions with the boys but the couple plays a very small role in the whole thing.The vacation cabin is in a small cove accompanied by several others, and the inhabitants of these neighboring cabins provide a number of interesting characters.
They are seen as potential parents by the boys, and the three younger ones compete in a battle for their attention - led by Misty.Maps is far more interested in a local teenage girl with whom he develops an intimate relationship.
It's not a great movie, but it gives the viewer a good feeling and gives this viewer some memories and emotions of times long passed..
A great movie indeed with all that a good movie needs: love, drama, realistic characters, joy, sadness and all the other things that a human being might feel nostalgic about at a certain moment.The orphans change the cove and cove changes them forever and, if you let it, their story might change you as well.The emotional charge simply grows bigger and bigger from the beginning of the movie towards the end thus providing with a finale of biblical proportions (emotionally speaking).Although in the beginning it might not seem like much this is, in my opinion, a movie that will not leave you unchanged and give you a new perspective as to what your dreams are and/or ought to be..
And as for the apparitions and the last scene involving the boys as adults was laugh out loud absurd - half the audience certainly thought so when I saw it - howls of sniggering and laughter.Shame really - as I said, wanted to enjoy it for a number of reasons - its Australian, its a good a story, I wanted Daniel Radcliffe to set himself up post Harry Potter (and he actually didn't do a bad job - the most convincing scene in the film involved adolescent embarrassment between him and Teresa Palmer) etc..
I like the movie and was especially emotional because I've been to Kangaroo Island for one week last year and I have lived near Snellings Beach.
"December Boys" marks star Daniel Radcliffe's first lead foray outside the world of Hogwarts, and the magic is conspicuously lost.
Not that Rod Hardy's well-meaning drama is terribly bad, but it's listless and overly sentimental that ultimately, it's a forgettable experience.Set in 1930s Australia, Radcliffe plays the role of Maps, an orphan boy raised in a Catholic orphanage.
Together with three other orphans born in December (hence their eponymous moniker), they were sent on a holiday at a beach for Christmas where a newlywed couple plans to adopt one of them.While the film's location and cinematography are breathtaking, there's not much else.
They say the best place to start is at the beginning, which is where our four main characters are introduced; Maps, Misty, Spit and Spark, otherwise known as the December Boys.
Based on the edge of a seaside town noted for fairgrounds and fireworks, the cove provides the ideal backdrop for an emotional journey they will always remember.The theme of love, romance, family, and friendship all play a role as the December Boys deal with the notion that one of them may be adopted, by a childless couple living in the cove.
However, despite these flaws December boys contains plenty of small joys and touching scenes, with timely voice overs and good direction, this is a film deserving to be seen..
I've seen a lot of movies, from Hollywood to Bollywood, jumping countries and continent, mixing comedies and dramas, actors and amateurs, but I have never seen a movie where I knew that even though it would be sad ending, I would feel happy about it, knowing the characters in the film will always be happy.Where to start...the acting was simple and brilliant.
Daniel Radcliffe also shone in this role, and I am always delighted to see his movies (he is truly an inspiration for people who want to do good in this world).
We have forgotten the feeling of brotherhood, of looking out for each other, of enjoying the simple things in life, of fighting but reconciling in the end, of the merit of good deeds that, even when they are hard to make, come back to you in a good way.There is not one criticism I would make of this film.
It is a film about growing up and making hard choices, about loneliness and a sense of belonging, about friendship, brotherhood, first love and lost, family, parenting, good life skills.
It is a movie that moves deep emotions, tells the sad story of guys who are left alone in this world with the hope that someone and at some point give you a sincere hug, to see this film I moved to my childhood, because I was adopted and the panic that you feel when you are alone..
The story of this film is very touching: focusing on four young Australian orphans, the film portrays the end of childhood and the beginning of adolescence.
A word of praise for the choice of filming locations, with beautiful maritime landscapes and enchanting beaches.I think most people who see this movie do it because of Daniel Radcliffe but, after watching it, I think it has a lot more to offer.
For Radcliffe, this film overlaps a bit with the Harry Potter movie series.
(No spoilers, however you should be ready for the religious element coupled with the boyish considerations of good and bad.) The boys are entertained by almost anything, and the members of the little seaside community each have their encounters/shenanigans with the DBs, but midway in the film Misty turns on the group in a desperate effort to secure his adoption by the family sponsoring their holiday.
(No spoilers.) Radcliffe ("Map" in the film) is struggling with the fact that he's nearly old enough to be let out of the orphanage; for the majority of the film he tries to play the subdued teenager who isn't easily moved or eager to be adopted, but other factors come into play for him.
Despite good acting, with Radcliffe grasping not the best of Ocker accents, and likable settings of KI, I just found the film, limited in it's story, the best parts of course, involving sexy Teresa, who least added some spark and sunshine to the bare film.
Radcliffe, while finding time to fall in love and actually some fun, going sand boarding and intimate cave exploring, is one of four orphans, hoping to win guardianship from this young couple they stay with during the warm month of December.
I was interested in "December Boys" (2007) for two reasons: I like (non-raunchy) coming-of-age flicks and the fact that it takes place on the Southern coast of Australia (actually it was shot on Kangaroo Island, part of South Australia).
As for Daniel Radcliffe, the star of the popular Harry Potter films, I've never seen him in a movie before and have no interest in him or Potter.The story revolves around four boys from an Outback Catholic orphanage who get to celebrate their December birthdays by taking a Christmas holiday on the coast.
They discover that a young childless couple are interested in adopting one of them, which creates a bit of rivalry, although the oldest one (Radcliffe) could care less and spends his time learning about girls and romance.
No kidding.After seeing the film a few times I only remember two of the boys: Maps and Misty.
This is definitely a picture where you'll have to read in between the lines to appreciate, which might make it good for repeat-viewings.On the positive side, the Kangaroo Island locations are fabulous, especially the high shots of Remarkable Rocks in Flinders Chase National Park.The picture really comes alive when Teresa Palmer is on screen; she plays femme fatale Lucy.
Others complained that the children-as-adults at the end were too old considering they were kids in the late 60s, but the epilogue obviously takes place in the near future, like the 2010s or 2020s, which would put them in their 50s or 60s.BOTTOM LINE: Although the story is merely okay as far as captivating and moving cinema goes, the highlights noted above compel me to give "December Boys" a decent rating, in particular the scenic rocks/coast and Lucy.If you like Teresa Palmer in this picture be sure to check her out in "Bedtime Stories" (2008), "Restraint" (2008) and "The Grudge 2" (2006).The film runs 1 hour, 45 minutes.GRADE: B/B-.
Full marks to him for shedding his image nd trying something as experimental as this.This trail of four adolescent orphans celebrating a vacation in a picturesque location in Australia waiting to be recognised.Their rivalry nd brotherhood at t same time nd various teenage activities are real enough to make us nostalgic.But there r some loose ends where u simply cannot explain t actions of t leading characters as real.And t ending is a big let down making a few wonder 'wats t point'.But u can accept a few blemishes in t editing nd script to walk down t memory lane one more time.
In this movie, you got 4 orphans: Maps (Daniel Radcliffe, "Harry Potter"), Misty (Lee Cormie),Spark (Christian Byers),& Spit (James Fraser).
December Boys is Radcliff's first non-Potter film since he was twelve.
Enough about that wizard though.December Boys is a heart-warming story of four brother-like orphans fighting for the affection of hopeful adopters.
Although there is little diversity in their characters, Misty, Maps, Sparks and Spit engage in cute rivalry, betrayal and camaraderie.The film tackles some simple themes in a charming manner.
Daniel Radcliffe plays Maps and appears much taller and older than the other boys and is withdrawn .A Man appears on a Triumph motorcycle looking like his from the eighties.
The other boys are drinking by now we see the horse with a fish in its Radcliffe's character is already smoking and probably already having sex with the blond Lucy.
Nice coming-of-age story of four Australian orphaned boys..
Most of the movie takes place on small beach of vacation cabins on the South Australia coast, but it begins in the vast, featureless spaces of the Australian Outback, the location of this boys town run by nuns.
And there is the old fisherman fishing for Henry ("Is that a person, or a type of fish?"), the old, large fish that visits the bay.The movie is narrated in modern time by the adult character we come to know as Misty.
Daniel Radcliffe of Harry Potter fame is Maps, because he has birthmarks on his chest that looks like maps.
This is a very big deal because it was very hard for any of these boys to be adopted.A very nice, little movie, it has a realistic feel and is a coming of age experience for the 4 boys.SPOILERS: Maps is the oldest of the boys, and often takes a "big brother" role.
Towards the end of the movie, the childless couple announce they have chosen Misty to adopt, and the three of them watch as the other 3 boys wander away.
Misty realizes that his family really is the group of 4 December Boys, and he affectionately tells the young couple thanks for choosing him, but he really belongs with the family he already has.The movie ends in modern time, and we see Max Cullen as the Narrator and the Adult Misty.
For many years, Daniel Radcliffe has stunned audiences both young and old alike as the dynamic Harry Potter.
In the movie "December Boys", Radcliffe shows that he's now all grown up and is now ready to take on other challenges outside the realms of Harry Potter.
Based highly on the novel by Michael Noonan, "December Boys" under the direction of Rod Hardy, this movie, like Rob Reiner's 1986 iconic film "Stand By Me", truly stands out as the definitive coming-of-age story centres around four boys named Maps (Radcliffe), Misty (Lee Cromie), Spark (Christian Byers) and Spit (James Fraser) form an alliance thanks mainly to the orphanage they're staying at because of sheer irony that their birthdays happen to be in the month of December.
The boys are now past the adoption age limit and may never know what it's like to be loved by a parent.
All the ensemble give it their all, especially Radcliffe's Maps who serves as a mentor to the other boys while at the same time is facing off with his own disappointments.
This movie had me totally dismiss that this young man starred in Harry Potter as his trial and tribulations had me intrigued the whole time.