December Boys

Name: December Boys
Genre: Drama, Romance
Released: September 14, 2007
Duration: 105 min
Rating: 56
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Teresa Palmer

2007

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 21 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 22 Ratings

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6.4

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6.4	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 22 Ratings

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December Boys

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Movie Details & Credits

Warner Independent Pictures (WIP) | Release Date: September 14, 2007 | PG-13

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Teresa Palmer

Summary: Based on the classic Michael Noonan novel, December Boys is the story of four orphan teenagers growing up behind the closed doors of a Catholic convent in outback Australia during the 1960s. As the boys watch younger kids get adopted by loving families, they begin to realize that as they get older, their turn may never come. But the boysBased on the classic Michael Noonan novel, December Boys is the story of four orphan teenagers growing up behind the closed doors of a Catholic convent in outback Australia during the 1960s. As the boys watch younger kids get adopted by loving families, they begin to realize that as they get older, their turn may never come. But the boys finally have something to look forward to when the convent sends them to visit the seaside one summer. While at the seaside, the boys meet a young couple unable to have children and who would make the perfect parents. The eldest of the boys, Maps, finds himself drawn to Lucy, a beautiful girl from down the coast. Competing to be the most adoptable, the rest of the boys, Sparks, Misty, and Spit, severely test their friendships as long-gestating feelings of rejection explode to the surface. The bonds of friendship eventually overcome the rivalries, sealing forever the strong ties that bind the December boys as they learn the real meaning behind friendship, family, and love. (Warner Independent Pictures)… Expand

Director: Rod Hardy

Genre(s): Drama, Romance

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 105 min

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Critic Reviews

Lou Lumenick

Tasteful and gorgeously photographed coming-of-age story. Read full review

Joshua Katzman

Though familiar as an old shoe, this is straightforward and well told. Read full review

Kevin Crust

A refreshingly gentle treatment of familiar themes such as the inevitability of change, the dashing of youthful illusions and mutability of family. Enhanced by an exotic locale, the movie overcomes a well-trodden narrative path and unflinchingly brandishes its sentimentality as it stakes out its crowd-pleasing territory. Read full review

Steven Rea

The movie would pour nicely onto a thick stack of pancakes. Read full review

Russell Edwards

Occasionally touching but rarely convincing coming-of-ager. Read full review

Desson Thomson

Radcliffe is good at showing vulnerability but without the skills to give it gradation. The magic doesn't work for him this time. Read full review

Jeannette Catsoulis

A coming-of-age tale so treacly it doesn’t just tug your heartstrings, it attempts to glue them to your ribs. Read full review

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User Reviews

puffs06x

Aug 31, 2023

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. December Boys is one of those movies where it can tug at your heartstrings. Throughout watching it, I learned about the different themes, values, and lessons. The casting choices was brilliant. The performances by Daniel Radcliffe of "Harry Potter" fame and the cast were stellar to bring this story to life. The setting is absolutely stunning and fits the time period of this movie perfectly, and the ending was sentimental. Great movie for those who are a fan of Dan's films/works and want to get the message across that friendships are always going to be family, no matter what happens.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

FilipeNeto

Oct 5, 2018

The story of this film is very touching: focusing on four young Australian orphans, the film portrays the end of childhood and the beginning of adolescence. The four boys are united by an immortal friendship strengthened by constant union. Having no family, they became family to one another.The story of this film is very touching: focusing on four young Australian orphans, the film portrays the end of childhood and the beginning of adolescence. The four boys are united by an immortal friendship strengthened by constant union. Having no family, they became family to one another. The eldest, in fact, no longer has any hope of knowing what it is to have a mother and father. They're sent by the orphanage to a small seashore village as a birthday present but, on this trip, their bonds of friendship and brotherhood will be tested when they suspect that a couple of local residents may be thinking of adopting one of them. It's also a moment of discovery of sexuality. The four are already curious about women, but only one really is old enough to do their sexual initiation.

The cast revolves around four young actors, being the oldest and most famous of them Daniel Radcliffe, the eternal "Harry Potter". Lee Cormie, Christian Byers and James Fraser, three actors unknown to me so far, complete the quartet. I think they were all excellent in their respective roles, being the youngest of all to assume the role of narrating the story, in hindsight. Each one will overcome their personal challenges and will mature with it, which makes the film gradually more serious, mature and emotive. At the end, the most emotional scene shows us how that friendship has surpassed the test of time. A word of praise for the choice of filming locations, with beautiful maritime landscapes and enchanting beaches.

I think most people who see this movie do it because of Daniel Radcliffe but, after watching it, I think it has a lot more to offer. The whole cast was very good, the place is beautiful but, above all, the story told is very touching.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

StaceyM.

Sep 16, 2007

Gentle and pleasing movie.

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jimmytancredi

Jul 24, 2011

I spent the movie with a feeling that something would happen that impact, and it did. I was surprised, especially with the furl of the story. I cried of course, with the relation of friendship that was established through the brothers during the film. Definitely I could see the lyricism andI spent the movie with a feeling that something would happen that impact, and it did. I was surprised, especially with the furl of the story. I cried of course, with the relation of friendship that was established through the brothers during the film. Definitely I could see the lyricism and depth that the film suggests. Outside the tremendous opportunity to put Radcliffe highlighted, and the film is all of the little boy Misty, who's there at the bottom of the poster. I really enjoyed... shows the importance of friendship, being given to family when we oportunide of having it. A star for the landscape, found it was fabulous.
A star for the performance of Dan, I appreciated a lot. A star for the decision at the end of Sparks. It was very meaningful. A star for the end of the movie, thought it was beautiful.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

FilmQueen

Oct 27, 2015

All in all, this was not bad. But I guess I couldn't completely enjoy it because of the religious undertone. It's also a bit slow, hardly anything happens.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JamesC.

Sep 22, 2007

Harry Plodder is a better name for this dud. Yes, the scenery is great but the script is beyond lazy. Why Daniel R. would pick this film to be in is beyond me. The director uses metaphors like a sledgehammer. If I saw the black horse in the film for another second I would have guessed it Harry Plodder is a better name for this dud. Yes, the scenery is great but the script is beyond lazy. Why Daniel R. would pick this film to be in is beyond me. The director uses metaphors like a sledgehammer. If I saw the black horse in the film for another second I would have guessed it was a KT Turnstall video. This film should be in the dictionary under, misfire.… Expand

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