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:

balloon | australia | truck | escape | vacation | 

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Taglines:

With a big dream and a little attitude, anything's possible.

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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:

$212,979 (Australia), 1 August 2003, Limited Release

Opening Weekend USA:

$10,304, 15 August 2004, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$159,279, 26 September 2004

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 Danny leaves the house the morning after spending his first intimate night with Glenda, he has no shoes on. Yet in the subsequent shots (as he meets with a gaggle of reporters), Danny clearly has black shoes on.

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Quotes

Trudy Dunphy: What happened to you out there?
Danny Morgan: Everything.

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Crazy Credits

Thanks to ... the residents of Hambly Street & Environs, Botany and the residents of Bellingen.

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Connections

References Easy Rider (1969)

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Soundtracks

Let's Get Lost
(1995)
Written by Lloyd Cole (as L. Cole)
Performed by Toby Martin and Anita Spring
Chrysalis Music / Mushroom Music Publishing
Toby Martin courtesy of Ivy League Music
Anita Spring courtesy of Universal Music Australia Pty. Ltd. and CP Music Pty. Ltd.

User Reviews

Great, endearing film!

I think this will be one of the first comments for Danny Deckchair, so let me start this section off by saying straight away that I really, awfully enjoyed this film! I was sorry to see the finish of it, and thats something that you cant always say about movies.

Starring Rhys Ifans (fantastic actor!), and Miranda Otto (impresses me whenever I see her), this fun romp never once left me bored. Be it the numerous moments of hilarity as Danny lights up the screen or the quieter, more touching personal moments when Glenda and Danny are getting to know each other, this film was interesting and entertaining to the last. Also interesting is the unsaid statements about what a bit of fame does to some people, as Trudy (Justine Clark) shows her true colours once Danny flies away on his Deckchair.

When it all boils down to it, this is an entertaining and ultimately heartwarming film that isn't afraid to be Australian. Plus it doesn't have people saying "Crikey!" or wrestling crocodiles (sorry Steve Irwin , but most of us aren't like you). At any rate, I really enjoyed this one, and hopefully everyone else out there will give it a chance too! Its just a pity that lots of people may look at it, and decide to see something else that has more explosions. And thats just sad, because this is a great film just waiting to get the public recognition it deserves! See it for yourself, and don't be afraid to have a good time.