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December Boys | 
 enlarge | Director: Rod Hardy
Actors: Jack Thompson, Rod Hardy, Victoria Hill, Daniel Radcliffe, Lee Cormie
Studio: Warner Home Video
Category: DVD
List Price: $19.98
Buy Used: $5.85
You Save: $14.13 (71%)
New (44) Used (19) from $5.85
Rating:  20 reviews
Sales Rank: 15547
Format: Ac-3, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, Dvd-video, Subtitled, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), Spanish (Dubbed)
Rating: Unrated
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 105 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: WARD118958D
UPC: 085391189589
EAN: 0085391189589
ASIN: B000XFVIN0
Theatrical Release Date: 2006
Release Date: December 11, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Studio: Warner Home Video Release Date: 04/15/2008 Run time: 105 minutes Rating: Pg13
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| Customer Reviews: Read 15 more reviews...
Poignant coming of age story December 9, 2008
z hayes (plano,texas)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The only reason I rented this movie was because Daniel Radcliffe [of Harry Potter fame] was in it, but there are other stand-out performances in this tender coming of age story about four orphans who over the course of a summer circa 1960s, discover what being a family truly means.
The four orphans are in an orphanage run by a band of Catholic nuns and have sort of resigned themselves to the fact that they may never be adopted due to their ages. One day, they are called in to the head's office, and think they are about to be punished for misbehaving, but it turns out that being "December boys", i.e. born in December, they are to receive a treat of spending a summer by the seaside, a dream come true for four sheltered Outback boys who have been bred on a steady diet of boiled lamb.
They are taken in by a kind couple and find themselves getting well-acquainted with the other inhabitants of the idyllic cove - in particular, the oldest boy Maps [Daniel Radcliffe] develops a crush on an older girl, Lucy [Teresa Palmer] who initiates his sexual awakening. The boys are also drawn to a young couple, a motorcycle stunt performer Fearless [Sullivan Stapleton] and his beautiful French wife, Teresa [Victoria Hill]. Soon, a rivalry develops between the boys when one of them, Misty [Lee Cormie] finds out that the couple is keen on adopting one of them.
The acting is above average for all the characters, in particular, Maps [Daniel Radcliffe] and Misty [Lee Cormie]. Both these characters are well-developed - Misty's intense yearning to finally be part of a real family, with a dad and mom comes across as genuine and heartrending in his portrayal. His deviousness is also credibly portrayed, as he tries to outshine his 'brothers' in appearing to be the best choice.
Maps is a well-drawn character - here is a young adolescent who always puts on a brave front, the leader of the band of brothers, the oldest of the pack, but who is also very vulnerable, especially when he suffers an unexpected 'loss' towards the latter part of the movie. His sexual awakening at the hands of the lustful Lucy is not overly sexed-up but subtly and beautifully done.
The soundtrack is simply beautiful with the songs staying with me long after the credits rolled. And the cinematography of the scenic South Australian seascape is just breathtaking. This may seem a tad sentimental to some, but it struck a chord within me and I highly recommend it.
 December Boys November 16, 2008
D. Ferkin
You are the best! Accurate description, great price, prompt shipping. What else could one ask for?
Heartwarming and beautiful in every respect October 27, 2008
Captain Jack (Crozet, Virginia)
I came upon this film quite by accident when I turned on the TV this afternoon. I was intrigued by Daniel Radcliffe being in a non-Harry Potter movie, because I feel he has an innate ability to play characters who feel real and multi-dimensional. He didn't disappoint, delivering yet another beautiful portrayal of a soul coming to grips with his lot in life.
The movie begins somewhat soberly and you wonder what life must really be like for the boys in this Catholic orphanage. When four best friends, all boys born in December, are asked to stand to receive their gifts, I almost wondered if they weren't being punished instead because the nuns seemed so humorless and stiff. But then the boys learn that a generous benefactor has enabled them to spend a holiday at the coast (the orphanage is in the extremely flat and dull Australian Outback), and the film takes on a more relaxed feel.
Since I haven't read the book, I felt a little lost in a few places, like why this older couple wanted four boys to come spend the summer with them. Two of the boys' characters aren't well developed; the story focuses on the children as friends, and on two of the boys: Maps, the oldest (Daniel Radcliffe) and Misty, the bespectacled one who most wishes to be adopted and who narrates the film as an adult.
Even without some of the gaps filled in, I became absorbed in the story, especially once Misty overhears that a young couple there is thinking of adopting one of the boys. He does not initially tell his friends but begins to behave as the perfect child to win them over, but finally shares the rumor after being scolded to during confession. At that point, the boys' friendship is tested because they begin to compete for the couple's affections, and the viewer wonders if their deep bond will survive this test.
Along the way, Maps falls for a beautiful girl and gradually but excitedly lets his guard down in his first real experiences with a girl. Watching that part of the story unfold is bittersweet, but a triumph for Radcliffe, who at once shows that both he and his character are becoming a man while still really being just a boy.
At the risk of spoiling further aspects of the plot, I will say no more about the story. The scenery is beautifully shot and there is much beauty to be found. There are both light-hearted and heavy-hearted moments, and it's endearing to watch the boys figure out how they should behave in both situations, given their regimented lives at the orphanage. At the end, you may want a tissue, but you won't mind, having spent the previous 1:45 coming of age along with these boys.
Two final thoughts: Yes, it is heavy on the religion because the boys do live in a Catholic orphanage and it's not surprising their benefactors would be deeply religious as well. Misty himself is quite religious, and it's through his eyes that we see most of the religious symbols. I myself am not a Catholic but understood how this was an important part of the story. And I would not recommend this movie for children because there is some brief nudity and some sexual content; I wouldn't show it to my 13-year-old. I didn't notice the rating on it but for mature teens who'd appreciate the story it's probably okay.
 Cute movie, but less than I expected. August 19, 2008
Kathryn Vincent (NW Indiana, USA)
Being a Daniel Radcliffe fan, I waited months for this movie to finally be available for purchase on DVD. While it is a cute film, I was disappointed. Maybe my expectations were too high, but it wasn't anything spectacular and I didn't enjoy the ending. It is worth watching, but unless you are a Dan Rad fan, I would say just rent the movie.
What Makes A Family June 18, 2008
Maureen B. Mcelroy
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
December Boys is a movie about the bonds of friendship, and what genuinely makes a family.
Maureen
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