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Director: |
Elissa Down |
Writer: |
Jimmy Jack, Elissa Down |
Starring: |
Toni Collette, Rhys Wakefield, Luke Ford, Erik Thomson, Gemma Ward, Jonathan Nguyen |
Released: |
March 6, 2008 |
Rating: |
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Runtime: |
93 minutes
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Websites: |
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Story: |
The Black Balloon is a story about fitting in, discovering love, and accepting your family.
It's not easy being Thomas. He's turning sixteen; and moving into a new house,
and school. His older brother Charlie announces their arrival to the neighbours
by banging a wooden spoon and wailing on the front lawn. Charlie doesn't speak.
He's autistic and has ADD. He's also unpredictable, sometimes unmanageable,
and often disgusting. Thomas hates his brother but wishes he didn't.
The Mollisons are an army family; but it's not what you'd call a regimented
life, or even a regular household. Thomas's cricket-obsessed father, Simon,
talks to his teddy. Simon and Maggie are openly intimate, and now Maggie is
going to have another baby.
One morning, the semi-naked Charlie escapes the house and leads Thomas on a
chase across the neighbourhood. Charlie bursts into a stranger's house to use the
toilet; and Thomas finds himself face to face with Jackie Masters, his gawky but
fascinating new classmate. The trouble is she's in the shower.
Maggie has complications with her pregnancy and becomes bedridden. Thomas and
Simon between them take on Charlie's daily routine; and Thomas experiences the
less savoury aspects of coping with his brother. What he didn't bargain for
was the shit-smearing, shopping centre tantrums, and riding in the Autistic
School bus. It's sink or swim; and Thomas is drowning.
The truth is he is literally. The school swimming lessons are a nightmare,
because Thomas has never got beyond doggie paddle. Then Thomas is partnered
with Jackie for basic life-saving; and Jackie swims like a fish. It's only
when they get to mouth-to-mouth resuscitation that things pick up and young
love blossoms between the two well, three, because Charlie is also entranced
by the pretty girl.
Thomas's birthday dinner turns into a nightmare. Pent-up frustrations about
his brother pour out that are both confronting and ultimately heart-warming.
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Cast: |
Rhys Wakefield
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Thomas Mollison |
Luke Ford
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Charlie Mollison |
Toni Collette
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Maggie Mollison |
Erik Thomson
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Simon Mollison |
Gemma Ward
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Jackie Masters |
Lloyd Allison-Young
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James |
Nathin Butler
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Chris |
Firass Dirani
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Russell |
Sally Evans
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Girl on Bus |
Aaron Glennane
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Bucko |
Lisa Kowalski
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Sally |
Andy Meritakis
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Daniel |
Jonathan Nguyen
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Tyler |
Henry Nixon
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Trevor |
Ngoc Phan
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Teacher's Aide |
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