Review: Pom Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold

Reviews

December Boys

Daniel Radcliffe's non-wizard cinematic vehicle

By PEG ALOI | September 19, 2007

2.0 Stars

VIDEO: Watch the trailer for December Boys.

Eagerly awaited by Harry Potter fans as Daniel Radcliffe’s first non-wizard cinematic vehicle, Rod Hardy’s nostalgic coming-of-age film (based on Michael Noonan’s novel) takes place in Australia in the late 1960s. Four orphans living in a remote convent are sent on holiday to a fishing village. Maps (Radcliffe) is the oldest, and beyond caring whether he gets adopted; he’s focused on Lucy (Teresa Palmer), the local Lolita. Spark (Christian Byers) and Spit (James Fraser) are rough imps; the youngest, artistic Misty (Lee Cormie), narrates. Lovely Teresa (Victoria Hill) and husband Fearless (Sullivan Stapleton) are carnival workers who befriend the boys, and when he overhears them discussing adoption, Misty ingratiates himself. Despite fine acting (Radcliffe is subtle and spot-on) and gorgeous visuals, the film flounders with silly fantasy sequences, a syrupy score, and an overwrought ending. The Year My Voice Broke meets Stand by Me? If only.

Topics: Reviews , Harry Potter, Daniel Radcliffe, Sullivan Stapleton, More

| More

ARTICLES BY PEG ALOI

REVIEW: THE FAIRY | April 18, 2012
Belgian filmmaking trio Dominique Abel, Fiona Gordon, and Bruno Romy (L'Iceberg) have crafted a bittersweet, surreal urban fantasy set in the dreary seaside town of Le Havre.

REVIEW: KILL LIST | February 28, 2012
Following up his impressive debut, Down Terrace , Ben Wheatley's Yorkshire-based crime thriller swerves with abrupt satisfaction into horror in its final moments.

REVIEW: THE INNKEEPERS | January 31, 2012
Ti West's spook show is atmospheric (thanks to the terrific hotel setting) and frequently funny; but the plot line is choppy, the dialogue often unnecessary, and the scares too sparse.

REVIEW: THE BEST OF THE OTTAWA INTERNATIONAL ANIMATION FILM FESTIVAL | January 24, 2012
The Canadians produce the best animation programs and prove it again with this international selection.

REVIEW: THE DEBT | August 30, 2011
Based on the 2007 Israeli film Ha-Hov, the story weaves present and past together, with most of the action surrounding the fateful mission and the perilous web of duty, passion, and betrayal that still haunts the agents.