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Black Balloon, The
NeoClassics Films Ltd

Black Balloon, The reviews
Critic Score
Metascore: 70 Metascore out of 100
User Score  
9.0 out of 10
based on 7 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
based on 1 votes
Read user comments
Rate this movie

MPAA RATING: Not Rated

Starring Toni Collette, Rhys Wakefield, Luke Ford, Erik Thomson, and Gemma Ward

When Thomas and his family move to a new home and he has to start at a new school, all he wants is to fit in. When his pregnant mother has to take things easy, his father Simon puts him in charge of his autistic older brother Charlie. Thomas, with the help of his new girlfriend Jackie, faces his biggest challenge yet. Charlie's unusual antics take Thomas on an emotional journey that causes his pent-up frustrations about his brother to pour out - in a story that is funny, confronting, and ultimately heart-warming. (NeoClassics Films Ltd)


GENRE(S): Drama  
WRITTEN BY: Elissa Down
Jimmy Jack
 
DIRECTED BY: Elissa Down  
RELEASE DATE: Theatrical: December 5, 2008 
RUNNING TIME: 97 minutes, Color 
ORIGIN: Australia 

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

80
Los Angeles Times Sheri Linden
For the most part, this unblinking family drama packs a visceral punch. Thomas' journey toward acceptance is blessedly free of noble lessons and filled with real people.
Read Full Review
75
New York Post Lou Lumenick
Doesn't sugarcoat the difficulties faced by this family, but this small gem has a very satisfying ending.
Read Full Review
70
The New York Times Stephen Holden
Ms. Collette’s Maggie is the film's prime mover. This wonderful Australian actress, who hasn't a shred of vanity, virtually disappears into the complicated characters she plays, and Maggie is one of the strongest.
Read Full Review
70
The Hollywood Reporter Megan Lehmann
Much has been made of supermodel Gemma Ward's doll-like features, but there's nothing plastic about her debut performance in the charming Australian indie The Black Balloon.
Read Full Review
70
Variety Russell Edwards
Collette acts as an anchor for the ensemble, but the young leads credibly hold their own onscreen.
Read Full Review
70
Village Voice Scott Foundas
Within its resolutely mainstream parameters, The Black Balloon courses with a firsthand feel for languorous Aussie summers, the shifting scales of love and hate in sibling relationships, and the earned wit that helps families cope with difficult situations.
Read Full Review
67
Entertainment Weekly Lisa Schwarzbaum
Toni Collette gives it the old "Little Miss Sunshine" try in The Black Balloon as an edge-of-kooky, very pregnant mama presiding over a chaotic household.
Read Full Review

What Our Users Said

Vote Now!The average user rating for this movie is 9.0 (out of 10) based on 1 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

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