Danny Deckchair (2003)

An Aussie becomes a national sensation when he lifts off in his deck chair tied to balloons.

Director:

Jeff Balsmeyer

Writers:

Jeff Balsmeyer, Lizzie Bryant (additional dialogue)

Stars:

Rhys Ifans, Miranda Otto, Justine Clarke

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rhys Ifans	...	Danny Morgan
Miranda Otto	...	Glenda Lake
Justine Clarke	...	Trudy Dunphy
Rhys Muldoon	...	Sandy Upman
John Batchelor	...	Pete
Alan Flower	...	Ray Vitali
Julie Wood	...	Kate (as Jules Sobotta)
Brian Langsworth	...	Real Estate Agent
Steve Rassios	...	Real Estate Agent (as Steven Rassios)
Madeleine James	...	Real Estate Woman
Jane Ruggiero	...	Donna
Gina Bortolin	...	Helen Costas
Duncan Young	...	Phil Stubbs
Garrie Scott	...	Party Shop Assistant
Richard Johnson	...	Passerby

Storyline

Based on a true story, the tale of a cement truck driver named Danny, whose long awaited vacation is cancelled thanks to his scheming girlfriend, Trudy. Danny escapes his grim life in suburban Australia and blasts into the skies in a chair tied with helium balloons. A mighty thunderstorm blows him clean off the map, and spits him out far away over the lush green town of Clarence. In this new town, he rockets into the world of Glenda, the town's only parking cop. While the media back home becomes obsessed with the story of his disappearance, Danny gets to reinvent himself in this new town, and in his great adventure, he discovers a true soulmate in Glenda. Fate catches up with him eventually, as Danny's true identity is revealed and Trudy--now a tabloid celebrity--comes to the idyllic town to claim Danny and drag him back to Sydney. Danny, however, is a changed man; he's discovered what it means to be happy and has found a new self-worth. Saying farewell to Trudy, Danny makes a dynamic...

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Plot Keywords:

character name as title | two word title | danny deckchair character | balloon | australia | 

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Taglines:

Where is Danny Deckchair?

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sex-related situations

Details

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 July 2003 (Australia)

Also Known As:

Danny's Daydream

Filming Locations:

Bellingen, New South Wales, Australia

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$10,304, 15 August 2004

Gross USA:

$159,279

Company Credits

Production Co:

Crusader Entertainment, Macquarie Film Corporation, Cobalt Media Group

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Inspired by the antics of "Lawnchair" Larry Walters who flew over San Pedro, California in a lawn chair rigged with 42 weather balloons on July 2, 1982.

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Goofs

When Glenda puts on her helmet to get on the motorcycle she doesn't properly thread the strap, yet at the next stop her helmet is properly adjusted.

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Quotes

Wing Commander Matthews: It's a tough country out there. We're talking nuts and berries.

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Crazy Credits

Special thanks to Carol, Zach, Jess, Hamish and Josh

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Connections

Spoofed in Arrested Development: Forget Me Now (2005)

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Soundtracks

Dream a Little Dream of Me
(1931)
Music by Wilbur Schwandt and Fabian Andre
Lyrics by Gus Kahn
Performed by Brooke McClymont with Plan 9
©1931 Words & Music Inc. / EMI Music Publishing Ltd.
Licensed by EMI Music Publishing Australia Pty. Ltd.
Brooke McClymont courtesy of Universal Music Australia Pty. Ltd.
Licensed from Universal Music Australia Pty. Ltd. and Deckchair Productions Pty. Ltd.

User Reviews

Nuts and Berries

Greetings again from the darkness. In this charming little comedy from down under, Writer/Director Jeff Balsmeyer takes us inside the lives of 2 people we really like and one ... well maybe not so much. The 3 lead actors are excellent in their roles, especially Rhys Ifan (Notting Hill and Once Upon a Time in the Midlands). Miranda Otto plays the parking cop who brings him back to life, while Justine Clark is tremendous as the glory seeking user that we have all met at least once. The story, while getting started in a very unique manner, settles into a traditional little romantic comedy for awhile. What makes this one a little different is watching the changes in the faces of the three leads. They each experience joy and heartbreak in their own way. This one deserves a look.