The Black Balloon (2008)
Moderate theme, Moderate coarse language
| Director: | Elissa Down |
| Actors: | Toni Collette, Rhys Wakefield, Luke Ford, Erik Thomson, Gemma Ward |
It's not easy being Thomas Mollison (Rhys Wakefield). He's turning 16, and his autistic brother Charlie embarrasses him. So do his wacky parents. When his pregnant mother (Toni Collette) is confined to bed rest, he is put in charge of Charlie (Luke Ford) and with the help of his new girlfriend Jackie (Gemma Ward), Thomas faces his biggest challenge yet. The Black Balloon is funny and ultimately heart-warming. A coming of age story about fitting in, discovering teenage love and accepting your family.
| Status: | QuickPick |
|---|---|
| Run time: | 93mins |
| Origin: | AUSTRALIA |
| Aspect Ratio: | 16:9 |
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Member Reviews (123)
123 Member
Reviews
gregh42
says
A very poignant film about the trials of a teenager growing up with a disabled sibling. Great to watch, although dated
Mickie
says
Another great Australian movie, a sensitive subject handled with humour and heartache for those who live this every day.
PhiG
says
Not a fan. I'm familiar with Autism and I felt parts of the movie were unrealistic. Wakefield's acting is very good and his character is lovely, Ward on the other hand didn't deliver the good acting Wakefield did. Over the top at times. Nice understated ending though.
Byron
says
An honest and moving insight into the autistic world. A film that will open your mind and heart to what hundrends of familes deal with every year. The cast including Toni Collette and Erik Thomson are stunning in the film. Luke Ford as Charlie gives an oscar worthy performance. A must see movie for all.
Kim
says
Gave it 30 mins and had to bale....too slow and boring.
KM
says
Worthwhile but not particularly great
Lonsdale
says
Loved it - sometimes challenging, sometimes funny - briiliant performances. As a film based upon a young man's life living with autism and the effects upon his family, this dvd should be available in schools so that people can learn about the lives of others. There are some yukky scenes, but without them, the truth behind the story would be diminished.
Karen Gore
says
This movie is one of the best I've seen as it is dealing with a situation with which my family has to cope with. Having a nephew who is Autistic but "bright as a button" it really brought home to me what my brother & his family have to live with through no choice of their own. I would recommend it to everyone to watch as it is thoroughly good viewing & a story told excellently through the wonderful acting by all of the cast.
Jenni
says
Great movie worth the review
JessE
says
I dont much like Aussie films, but loved this one.
Helen S
says
My daughter and I saw this a couple of years ago and loved it then and watched it together again last week. An incredible Aussie movie, awesome acting and heart-felt story. Excellent performances especially by Charlie.
Mandy
says
Good to see a cast of great Aussie actors.
An in sightful view on the heartache, frustrations, trails and tribulations on the family and the child when raising an Autistic child.
Deborah
says
Fantastic - heartwarming, sad and funny, but mostly realistic (as Australian films often are) disability in a family is not all sunshine
Vicki
says
A realistic insight into what it's like to live with a child with autism. Great performances by an excellent cast.
margo
says
I enjoyed this Australian movie if only for the superb performance of Charlie. Thomas and his goofy smile I found annoying. Well done on tackling a film highlighting an autistic young man and the amazing strength of his family.
Abby Z
says
This is a great movie about a teenager growing up with an autistic brother. It deals with a sensitive subject with truth and humour. Toni Collette is wonderful as always. We had a great time watching it and it is a movie we won't forget.
Sammy
says
Couldn't watch it, not my type of movie. Very basic acting and boring
Tanya
says
Good movie and hard to watch at times. I really felt for Thomas by the end. Excellent acting.
Jo
says
Loved it......
Jo
says
Excellent film portraying a family's struggles with handicapped son.
Wonderful acting.
brian hardie
says
brilliant, compelling and at times confronting...great acting performances.
Sam B
says
While this is not the typical movie I would watch, I thought that this was a beautifully made film. It shows the difficulties on the family of a disabled person, both with direct interactions of the family members, and how the community viewed the family. While this movie may not show the full extent of life with a disabled family member, nor does it make many steps to helping the general public understand, it is much more realistic than other movies with similar characters.
McLovin
says
An excellent Australian film, a real gem. Watch it.
Maria
says
Awesome movie. Great story, excellent acting, recommend to anyone
Monika Hanlon
says
The movie was great but I didn't enjoy it because I think it was very true to life
Gabby C
says
Although this movie has moments of sadness it also has periods of laughter. It is a brilliantly acted movie that portrays the difficulties to family life when one child is severely disabled and the other is not disabled. It portrays the journey that all the family faces as well as the viewpoint of the disabled child. Brilliant story of love, love loss, family loving ties and the torment and happiness of the adolescent. Recommended it to others who enjoyed it as well. See for yourself and watch it.
Jacynta W
says
This is a delightful Aussie film! Although some films similar to this give me the 'cultural cringe' in this case I simply enjoyed the Aussie icons that were touched upon in this film, such as the Super Nintendo, stack hats and whatnot. To me it broke away from the stereotypical film that the themes of the plotline could have created. Great acting from all involved, a very complex drama/comedy.
rosie
says
fantastic
Marina
says
Really good movie. Everybody should watch it!
Tracy
says
Hired this movie from a DVD store about 18 months ago and halfway through, it messed up. Returned the movie knowing I would get it again at some point to finish watching and I am SO glad I did. Absolutely awesome movie, I loved it and would watch it again.
YE
says
everyone nreedv to see this movie to understand Autism
chantalep
says
What a great film. So well acted and a great story. Well worth watching.
Ness
says
Wonderful Australian movie about an often avoided subject and how having a child with a disability affected the whole family
CL-D
says
This could have been an all time classic but was let down by two minor things. Gemma Ward was out of her depth and too old for a16 plus. Every now and then this weird catwalk accent came out while she was talking and if you were just looking at her, you'd think it was set in the present time. Second thing was a little cheesy musical interlude while they were mucking about in the firing range, totally unnecessary and trite. The rest will blow you away with it's power and absolute honesty. The acting by the family was second to none. Up there with the best.
LaydeJ
says
It's a Toni Collette film so I was always going to watch it, think 'Little Miss Sunshine' and you are close. Toni's the calm, together household mother, whose juggling a little too much in this family. A new home, two teenage sons (one of whom is autistic), a deluded unhelpful father - oh and she's pregnant too!
The Black Balloon is deeply watchable and is primarily about young love, as teenage son Thomas falls in love with the beautiful Jackie at his new school.
While Jackie is very understanding of Thomas's autistic brother Charlie, Thomas is embarrassed by him and finds it hard to balance his responsibilities as a older brother, whilst trying to impress Jackie.
The Black Balloon has both light and dark moments and all the quirkyness of an Australian film.
Jeff1963
says
Very pleasing to see a good aussie movie for a change. Good acting by all and it shows people how bullying at school can be demeaning.
Tony
says
While not quite reflective of all the challenges a family face with an autistic son there is enough in this movie to entertain, with a good blend of humour and reality
Susan
says
Fifteen minutes was more than enough. Thank goodness I missed this when first released.
Ann E.
says
Not a movie for me, I really struggled to watch it, not sure why but with a Grandchild with special needs I felt it didn't do anything to help people understand the difficulties.
Masayangtao
says
Very moving and well put together. Tells of the anguish and joy of a teenager with a disabled brother. Possibly set in the 60;s. Cried toward the end. A must see.A
Sandi
says
Absolutely terrific. I didn't here much about this movie when it was released which is a shame. Well acted by all especially Rhys Wakefiled.
Anna
says
Excellent Australian Movie
Antony D
says
A wonderful movie, I have seen 3 times now. The characters are very realistic, and it shows the narrow-mindedness of the average person towards people that are 'different.' I cried, laughed and felt deeply for the family portrayed. A great eye-opener for those people that don't have much contact with people with disabilities.
(one star of, for not using younger (hence more realistic) actors for the high school kids roles)
paul
says
wonderful brave Aussie drama with real heart and a story of deep family love.
highly recommended
Bron
says
An amazing film, truly inspirational filmmaking. If you want to try and understand severe Autism and how it affects families, watch this movie. Brilliant acting by Luke Ford, closely followed by Rhys Wakefield and Toni Collette. Gemma Ward is delightful and beautifully natural. Incredibly touching, at times heartbreaking and quite confronting, this is a movie that touches all the emotions. I cannot recommend it highly enough and how wonderful that it is Australian.
John F
says
Even if it had nothing else going for it, it's got Toni Collette. But this one pushes all the right buttons. It's funny, heart-warming and ultimately inspiring. Great stuff and no surprise that it's yet another wonderful Aussie movie.
Andrew
says
Easily one of the worst films ever seen. We have watched 3 a week for over 2 years, and this is the first time we have given up on a film before the end. To start with, why use actors in their 20's to play 15 year olds? It just looks wrong. Gemma Ward was a better actor than the lead male who was just woeful. It tries to capture iconic Australian images like the Hills hoist, the lawn sprinkler and the Dunlop KT26, but they are cliches more than icon in this. Oh and by the way, nothing actually happens. Lower than B grade - amateur stuff from all involved, including Toni Collette. Anyone else sick of her playing a dowdy housewife?
lizziemun
says
Makes you realise how lucky you are. The struggle of families dealing with autism is well captured. Loved the spirit of the family. Toni Collette brilliant as usual. Definitely worth a look.
Barbara C.
says
I really approve of my birthday gift thank you Quickflix. It made good Mother's Day viewing and made me feel eternally grateful for my healthy family. The Black Balloon is a heartwrenching film which is no doubt all too true for some families. Well acted and watchable to the very end. Thanks again Quickflix for your gift.
Lucy C.
says
Excellent Australian movie. You really feel for the character of Thomas. Excellent acting all around. Highly recommended.
Doogy
says
Really good movie.Recommended.
Karla
says
A bit slow, really struggled to watch the whole story - if it wasnt for some good acting may have turned it off. Definitely saved by the acting.
Carolyn
says
At last, an Aus movie worth watching. All main characters are so believeable and the actor who is the autistic boy is a particular stand out. The relationship between the two young actors is gorgeously done. My husband and I have totally opposite taste in movies and both of us were moved by this.
Maree P.
says
AWESOME movie!!! I actually gave it 5 STARS! - Don't know why QuickFlix put me down as 2!!!
Anyway, I laughed and cried - totally drawn into the characters of this movie - completely believable and realistic acting set in the early 90's it truely does have a 'timeless' feel to it and is so poignent to life. Loved all the actors. I think i might have to buy a copy of this movie - it was that good, definitely a keeper.
Bruce A.
says
Sometimes difficult to watch, but left me feeling nothing but admiration for people in these circumstances.
Paul S.
says
Very good movie but don't watch it if you are in the mood for some light entertainment or a romance. It's very moving and a little disturbing in parts.
Melissa
says
Good movie about people with disabilities. The actors/actresses played their parts well.
Jemma
says
The Australian films. Interesting, fun, exciting, eye opening. Just an all round good movie.
Ann B.
says
Great film not what i expected really enjoyed it
yeo44
says
a beautiful very real story about the pressures of a family coping with an adult autistic son, allot about acceptance with life's happenings
Cindy
says
A intringing story, I was most amused with all the 1980 reerences, clothes, technology, housesand of course the dragster bikes with flowery seats
Jeanne S.
says
Very uplifting and very touching. The acting was great.
Jenn B.
says
Loved this movie, great Australian movie showing the reality of life in the teenage world, especially one with the nightmare of having to keep on moving and dealing with disability. Love it!
Carla
says
Great realist australian movie. Give people an insight to the difficulties of raising a family which includes a child with a disability.
BluNat
says
When we do it, we do it so very very well! A beautiful, touching movie that brought tears to my eyes. Toni Collete and Erik Thompson are always a treat to watch, but the amazing acting of the 3 younger characters, blew me away. Life's tough when dealing with a disability and this movie realistically portrayed it with humour, sadness, discomfort and even anger. Great job!
Susan
says
Sometimes it can be a hit and miss thing when you sit down to watch an Aussie movie. This local production is worth the sit down with some fine acting. It does a good job of exploring people's reactions to life's challenges.
Nicole F.
says
Really powerful and moving - my husband
Kellie
says
Loved it...Great Aussie movie, slaps you back to reality, and made me realise how good Ive got it!!!
Chris M.
says
Good Australian movie
Nicole M.
says
I really enjoyed this movie, probably one of the best Australian movies I have seen. Great character establishment, I really felt for poor Thomas. I loved the early 90's Aussie/NZ music too.
Kim
says
obviously an australian movie very interesting not sure if goo
David
says
We turned this movie off after about 25 mins at the scene where the autistic youth was playing in his own poo. It was not entertaining. Who wants to watch the awful side of autism as entertainment? Sure, as a documentary, so that you know what you are going to get confronted with. In my view Toni Collette was overacting the part. Sure, get this movie out; but don't expect to be entertained.
William C.
says
Good but not great - script a bit predictable but terrific cast. Towelhead
Jaco
says
Ver deep and emotional story, just a pitty the quality of the DVD did not allow me to watch the movie from beginning to end.
Jean B.
says
The Black Balloon.
I did not enjoy this film at all. I have an autistic child in my family and feel the portrayal of the autistic child was less than acurate. I thought he was treated as if he was mentally deficient and almost made fun of. How stupid was his mother in the silly way she treated him. The film was too 'Auystralian'.
Kylie
says
another fantastic australian movie! great portrayal of a family in crisis but love
Alex H.
says
A natural portrayal of a family with two sons one of which is handicapped. The patients and love shown to the difficult to control autistic son warmed my heart There are many funny episodes as well. Great film.
Stimpy
says
Painful...
Nigel W
says
Honest movie about the stresses placed on family because of a family member with autism. Assured direction for an Aussie movie. 3.5 stars
ka-tet
says
Nobody plays ugly like Toni Collette and this is a warts and all performance by the entire cast handling an unappealing subject. As for Luke Ford's portrayal of Charlie, the line from Tropic Thunder comes to mind, in a conversation regarding Ben Stillers character in a similar film '...never go full retard'. Ford however had better skills.
Naomi P.
says
Excellent!!! Give it a go!
Louiza
says
absolutely brilliant film
Melrose
says
What a shining example of how good an Australian film can be. Rhys Wakefield's breakthrough performance is honest and he shows promise as an edgy brilliant Australian actor.
Toni Collette plays the role of a mother torn and struggling to hold it all together as it threatens to come unraveling around her.
A movie that paints a picture with a vast array of colourful emotions and manages to draw the audience in. Makes the audience love the characters and adopt them as our own.
Laurie L.
says
Well made, and totally realistic - if you want to know what it could be like living with autism then watch this movie. I'm afraid that all I got was a sense of frustration.
Pinky681
says
A really sweet gentle quirky Australian film.
Alasdair W.
says
Brilliant acting by Luke Ford as the autistic teenager. The struggles of his teenage brother are presented in excruciating reality, although Gemma Ward was a little too self conscious about being 'pretty'. Wonderful Australian film.
Andrew
says
Good australian movie
Steve
says
Very Slow with little storyline. Good if you had an interest in autism.
Janelle
says
Fantastic Australian movie, one of the best I have seen. Well worth a look.
Sandra
says
A very disturbing if not humorous at times, movie and very well acted.
Robert I.
says
A wonderful movie portraying the tremendous love and frustrations of family members living with a teenager with autism and adhd. Watch it and weep, laugh and be amazed at the terrific cast of Aussie actors. You won't be disappointed.
Jeanette M.
says
I found this movie painful in the extreme: Great acting, and is a startlingly accurate account of growing up and living in Australia in modern times: But a slow, dull subject with no good bits at all, and not even an upbeat ending to leave you feeling good about wasting 93 mins.
Eng O.
says
This movie was excellent and Toni Collette and Luke Ford put in an excellent performance.
Brett E.
says
I lived with 2 Autistic children for over 3 years now and this movie is spot-on for certain Autistic cases.
Fantastic acting and script.
I had to wait ages to get this one and was not disappointed. Watch it!
Les F.
says
Very good movie. Gives a good insight into the pressures on our youths these days. Well presented and a good cast.
Dianne
says
Brilliant. Touching story. Great perspective from a sibling.
Anita L.
says
I won free tickets to see this movie, but I would have paid to see it several times. Absolutely brilliant. Great cast and great acting. Story about a family with an autistic child.
kmooey
says
What a fantastic Aussie film, I love Eric Thompson and Toni Collette, that's why I got the movie, ( not really knowing what it was about ) a very heart warming movie that really opens your eyes to what some family's everyday lives are like with a family member with autism, recommended for all to watch !!
Brett
says
Living with 2 Autistic children, this movie was going to be scrutinised thoroughly. Luke Ford was brilliant in the role, as were the rest of the cast. GREAT movie!
Antonia M.
says
Amazing movie. Makes you cry with sympathy for the characters and their respective situations. However, it doesnt totally bum you out either.
Bill
says
Fabulous movie and not nearly as depressing as some Australian movies can be! Luke ford as the autistic boy was outstanding - we actally discussed whether he was acting or really autistic, he was so convincing. Toni Collette was as always a lesson in natural acting. The surprise was Gemma Ward, who was much better as an actor than I thought she would be. All the cast were very good, good direction and a fine script with a message of hope and affirmation at the end.
Margaret F.
says
What a brilliant Aussie movie . Tells it like it is and shows the Aussie spirit to just get on with it. We have so many talented actors in this country pity we dont make more movies . You wont be disappointed in this one !
Julie
says
eye opener on how these families cope with life. moving.
Amour S.
says
Excellent Aussie movie. Great believable cast. Excellent acting by Luke Ford (reminds me of Leonardo Di Caprio in Whats eating Gilbert Grape?). I would recommend watching this twice to pickup anything you missed the first time viewing. I always enjoy watching Toni Collette at work. Great movie, I highly recommend this one.
Sean D.
says
Great movie about the impact of autism on families. As usual, Collette is outstanding and the supporting cast was superb. What let it down was a bit of a pointless ending but maybe this is what the director wanted.
Lynne H.
says
Terrible. Not realistic. The autistic brother is an absolute NIGHTMARE with absolutely nothing lovable about him at all. This is wrong. I could NOT relate or feel a single emotion with this.
Carly E.
says
Fantastic! Well acted and original loved iT!
Lynne H.
says
Dissappointing. I was looking forward to this. I thought that people who are backward or autistic still have some positive personality traits or lovability about them- but this one was just an over the top, non stop screaming, pooing, pain. I thought it was not realistic.
Janet W.
says
A very thought-provoking Aussie film and how difficult it must be living with a handicapped person. Luke Ford as Charlie was excellent and I felt very sorry for Thomas. It was a lot for a young person to cope with. Good on Jackie for being so understanding about Charlie and the wacky parents, Collette and Thomson, who were also very good.
Julie W.
says
Powerful, believable performance by Luke Ford. Story well portrayed by Toni Collette and the other main characters. Another great Aussie movie.
Kate S.
says
Wow, can't believe this is Elissa Down's first feature film. It's fantastic. Love Toni Collette whatever she does, she's the best - but the boys, Luke Ford and Rhys Wakefield are also amazing in this film.
Bernadette B.
says
Well-acted, touching story of living with a child with a severe disability and the impact that has on the entire family. It's surprisingly engaging (surprising because a large part of it focuses on the budding romance between two teenagers which is not really of interest to me). Across the board the acting is excellent.
Gerd H.
says
Yes, it's a sympathetic treatment of living with an autistic family member, which is not at all funny and hardly sustains the movie. Otherwise, it's nothing more than a teenage love story and there's not much to that either.
Kristen A.
says
Fantastic movie that addresses some hard-hitting issues in a compassionate, yet often humerous way. The acting is really impressive by all cast members, with particular mention to the actor who plays Charlie whose obvious research into his role as an autistic boy left me breathless.
Also, of interest was the fact that it's set in suburban Australia in the early 90's which shows a different context and how in particular, teenagers had to communicate before the easy days of text messaging and MSN.
If there are any any English teachers out there reading this review, I'd highly recommend this be adopted as a film text for stage 5/6 students.
Overall, another great Aussie film!
Narelle J.
says
Fantastic !! Very moving, heart touching
macca101
says
One of the best Australian movies ever made, such a beautfiul story told with such care and compassion. It was so real and I have already gone out and bought the movie so I can watch it again and again.
Maria C.
says
An excellent and wonderful movie. It illustrates so well the many emotions experienced with having a famility member who a autism. The acting is excellent.
Anita S.
says
This is a very well done Australian film. The warmth shown in the family dynamics seems so believable as does the frustration of living with an autistic older child. I thought the ending was very appropriate and authentic.
Well done everyone.
Richard W.
says
very clever australian movie
a romantic comedy,
a family drama with a child with disability.
not to be missed
Jessica L.
says
Fantastic movie... really gets you thinking about how petty some of your problems really are... fantastic acting... emotional and funny
Luisa E.
says
Great movie showing what it's like to live with an Autistic child.
Helen J.
says
This is an excellent movie. I laughed, empathised and cried. The storyline is powerful young love, family relationships, the hurt caused by the ignorant.... I found it especially interesting as one of the key players has autism and I have an autistic child. Superb acting, especially by Luke Ford who is not autistic but makes the role believable.
Definitely worth watching.
Erin S.
says
I was looking forward to this movie and I was not disappointed.
The cast is fantastic. You can really sense the frustration and embarrasment from Rhys Wakefield's character as the put-upon brother. And Luke Ford is amazing as his autistic brother, he's destined for Hollywood. Toni Collette is amazing as always, as is Eric Thomson. And Gemma Ward was a good surprise. Her part doesn't consist of much but she plays her it well.
The storyline is poignant and moving with a great Australiana 80s/90s feel.
This is easily one of the best Aussie movies, if not the best, that has been released in recent times.