A touching account of the stresses and joys a group orphaned children (under reasonably good care at an orphanage based in Australia).
A group of four, named "December Boys" (DB) primarily because they're all identified as such on their birthday month, are the first selected to be treated to a once-in-a- lifetime opportunity for a Christmas holiday by the sea. The movie takes us across the length of quite an amazing Australian countryside. From the get go, the DB are like brothers in every sense.
For Radcliffe, this film overlaps a bit with the Harry Potter movie series. Here he is the eldest of the DB group and the "big brother" of the group, enjoying the experience but less mesmerized by everything than the younger boys in the group. The youngest of the group, "Misty," is very much reminiscent of Radcliffe in "HP Sorcerer's Stone" in terms of his look of wonder and amazement at everything he sees. It's the older and wiser Misty who narrates the story. He's the first to be bitten by the temptation of the little community by the sea. (No Spoilers.)
A very heavy element of Catholicism is present throughout the film -- the orphanage is run by religious sisters, a priest chaperones the DBs on holiday, the family sponsoring their seaside holiday is extremely religious, and Misty has a unique understanding of the Virgin Mary and of women in general. (No spoilers, however you should be ready for the religious element coupled with the boyish considerations of good and bad.)
The boys are entertained by almost anything, and the members of the little seaside community each have their encounters/shenanigans with the DBs, but midway in the film Misty turns on the group in a desperate effort to secure his adoption by the family sponsoring their holiday. (No spoilers.)
Radcliffe ("Map" in the film) is struggling with the fact that he's nearly old enough to be let out of the orphanage; for the majority of the film he tries to play the subdued teenager who isn't easily moved or eager to be adopted, but other factors come into play for him. (No spoilers.)
There's a funny confessional scene you'll have to see for yourself, but the most moving aspect of the film is that faith and brotherhood thrive even in the desolate little neighborhood. While nobody in the town is well off by any means, the message to "do unto others..." and to help lift each other up is present among the adults throughout, not only though their words of prayer, but through their quiet actions.
The story is very touching and relatable. A lovely film you should watch for yourself.
A group of four, named "December Boys" (DB) primarily because they're all identified as such on their birthday month, are the first selected to be treated to a once-in-a- lifetime opportunity for a Christmas holiday by the sea. The movie takes us across the length of quite an amazing Australian countryside. From the get go, the DB are like brothers in every sense.
For Radcliffe, this film overlaps a bit with the Harry Potter movie series. Here he is the eldest of the DB group and the "big brother" of the group, enjoying the experience but less mesmerized by everything than the younger boys in the group. The youngest of the group, "Misty," is very much reminiscent of Radcliffe in "HP Sorcerer's Stone" in terms of his look of wonder and amazement at everything he sees. It's the older and wiser Misty who narrates the story. He's the first to be bitten by the temptation of the little community by the sea. (No Spoilers.)
A very heavy element of Catholicism is present throughout the film -- the orphanage is run by religious sisters, a priest chaperones the DBs on holiday, the family sponsoring their seaside holiday is extremely religious, and Misty has a unique understanding of the Virgin Mary and of women in general. (No spoilers, however you should be ready for the religious element coupled with the boyish considerations of good and bad.)
The boys are entertained by almost anything, and the members of the little seaside community each have their encounters/shenanigans with the DBs, but midway in the film Misty turns on the group in a desperate effort to secure his adoption by the family sponsoring their holiday. (No spoilers.)
Radcliffe ("Map" in the film) is struggling with the fact that he's nearly old enough to be let out of the orphanage; for the majority of the film he tries to play the subdued teenager who isn't easily moved or eager to be adopted, but other factors come into play for him. (No spoilers.)
There's a funny confessional scene you'll have to see for yourself, but the most moving aspect of the film is that faith and brotherhood thrive even in the desolate little neighborhood. While nobody in the town is well off by any means, the message to "do unto others..." and to help lift each other up is present among the adults throughout, not only though their words of prayer, but through their quiet actions.
The story is very touching and relatable. A lovely film you should watch for yourself.