The Black Balloon (Unrated) 97 minutes C
A 15 year old boy learns about love and acceptance.
Starring Toni Collette, Rhys Wakefield, Luke Ford, Erik Thomson, and Gemma Ward
The Black Balloon is an unflinching look at autism and a coming-of-age film rolled into one. The Mollison family has just moved to a Sydney (Australia) suburb. Mom (Toni Collette) is pregnant and in need of bed rest (doctor's orders), Dad (Erik Thomson) keeps a busy schedule (he's an Army officer), which leave 15 year old Thomas (Rhys Wakefield) to care for his autistic younger brother Charlie (Luke Ford), while also trying to fit in at a new school and falling in love for the first time.
This is an excellent look at how growing up with an autistic sibling can take an emotional toll on a teenager. Director and co-writer Elissa Down undoubtedly drew from her experiences growing up with two autistic brothers.
The film is loud, sometimes annoying and often sad. The family, especially Thomas, is riding an emotional rollercoaster. The sentimental parts of the film may tug on the heart strings of most but I felt nothing. The film is enjoyable but it never elevated itself to more than average and none of these characters really touched me. Not a bad film, but nothing to write home about... rent it on DVD.
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