The Black Balloon (2008)

All Thomas wants is a normal adolescence but his autistic brother, Charlie, thwarts his every opportunity. Will Thomas, with the help of his girlfriend, Jackie, accept his brother?

Director:

Elissa Down

Writers:

Elissa Down, Jimmy Jack (as Jimmy The Exploder)

Stars:

Rhys Wakefield, Luke Ford, Toni Collette

18 wins & 24 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rhys Wakefield	...	Thomas Mollison
Luke Ford	...	Charlie Mollison
Toni Collette	...	Maggie Mollison
Erik Thomson	...	Simon Mollison
Gemma Ward	...	Jackie Masters
Sarah Woods	...	Woman Next Door
Sam Fraser	...	Kid Next Door
Makirum Fahey-Leigh	...	Mate of Kid Next Door
Oliver Brookes	...	Other Mate of Kid Next Door
Jan Ringrose	...	Neighbour
Bradley Orford	...	Neighbour
Zelie Bullen	...	Mother in Van
Anthony Phelan	...	Mr. Masters
Deborah Piper	...	Janet - Social Worker
Henry Nixon	...	Trevor - Social Worker

Storyline

Thomas is turning 16. His Dad is in the army and they've just moved to a town in New South Wales; his mum is pregnant; his older brother, Charlie, who's autistic, has his own adolescent sexual issues. Thomas finds Charlie an embarrassment in public, so when Thomas is attracted to Jackie, a girl in his swim class, Charlie presents any number of obstacles when she drops by their house, when the three of them go for a walk, and during a family birthday dinner. Can Thomas find a way to enter the world of teen romance and still be his brother's keeper, or is Charlie's disability going to prove more than Thomas can handle?

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Plot Keywords:

screaming | bath | poop | dingleberry | 1990s | 

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Taglines:

Normal is relative.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some sexual content, a scene of violence, and brief strong language

Details

Country:

Australia UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 March 2008 (Australia)

Also Known As:

The Black Balloon

Filming Locations:

Bardia Parade, Holsworthy, New South Wales, Australia

Box Office

Budget:

AUD5,000,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$2,136,663

Company Credits

Production Co:

Australian Film Finance Corporation (AFFC), Black Balloon Productions, Icon Entertainment International

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The only reference to the "Black Balloon" of the title--visual or verbal--appears to be a sole black balloon that rises from behind the backyard fence of the new home of the Mollisons, the family at the center of the film. Seen in the last shot of the opening credits when all four members of the family are in the backyard, the black balloon follows a cluster of red balloons seeming to come from a neighbor's yard and rising out of sight at the top of the frame. The younger brother, Thomas, whose back is to the camera, is the only character in a position to possibly see the balloons. It is unclear, though, whether a slight upward movement of his head is meant to suggest that he notices them.

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Quotes

Thomas Mollison: Dad, do you ever wish Charlie was normal?
Simon Mollison: All I know is he's my own, and you're weak as piss if you don't look after your own.

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Crazy Credits

In the same typeface, style and layout as all the credits that come before it (like, for instance "Costume Designer" on one line with "Claire Granville" just below it), the last credit in the opening sequence has "Title" on one line with "The Black Balloon" just below it.

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Connections

Featured in 20 to 1: Adults Only 20 to 1: Sizzling Supermodels (2011)

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Soundtracks

When We Get There (Beautiful Days)
Written by Michael Yezerski and Josh Pyke
Performed by Josh Pyke

User Reviews

A brilliant debut

Elissa Down has used her personal experience of growing up with two autistic brothers, one of whom she describes as a "Rainman" character, and the other the inspiration for Charlie, the autistic and ADHD-afflicted brother of Thomas. The story is touching, sometimes side-splittingly funny, sometimes tragically upsetting, but ultimately uplifting. There isn't a weak performance, and as usual Toni Collette gives a believable portrayal of a mother whose strength holds her family together. Luke Ford is amazing as Charlie, reminiscent of Leonardo Di Caprio in "What's Eating Gilbert Grape?" It's good to see an Australian film that tackles such a difficult subject, and does so brilliantly.