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Cast: Rhys Wakefield, Luke Ford, Toni Collette, Erik Thomson, Gemma Ward
Thomas is a 16-year-old trying to make his way in a new town and at a new school but his autistic brother, Charlie, thwarts his every opportunity. Will Thomas, with the help of his girlfriend, Jackie, accept his brother?
This is a great Indie film that delivers on so many levels. I have seen other films dealing with autism in the past but I would have to say this must be the most honest and realistic of them all. The film tells the story of a family in Australia who move to a new town and the challenges they all face together, but the main character it focuses on is Sixteen year-old Thomas who struggles to except his autistic brother who seems to constantly doing things that anger and embarrass Thomas. You really feel the young man's pain and confusion and also the pressure that is on Thomas who must help out more than expected when his mother is told to stay in bed during a difficult pregnancy. Thomas himself is attempting to adjust to his new surroundings and even a girlfriend who seems to understand it all more than he does. The film is not without it's cliches but it also stays dedicated to telling a story that pulls on the heart strings and at the same time creates hope. From the landscapes of Australia to the music and down to the terrific cast the film holds it's own identity while creating a story everyone can relate to. The entire cast is magnificent including Toni Collette as the mother that never seems to tire of her duties to Rhys Wakefield as Thomas and newcomer Luke Ford who is just incredible as Charlie. Also let me not forget the beautiful and talented Gemma Ward who plays the girlfriend, she is as talented as she is beautiful and it is too bad she hasn't had anymore more roles since 2008. Black Balloon is not your average drama you might see Hollywood release but is a heartfelt film that reminds you of the reasons you fell in love with cinema in the first place. There are not many films anymore that touch you the way this one does in it's honestly and pain and in the end it's message of hope. A film I could not take my eyes off of and one I highly recommend picking up when it comes to DVD on March 23rd.
Released by NeoClassics Films LTD.
***** Out Of *****