The Black Balloon
Seen it?2008 | 97 min | Drama
Saturday Specialearly ratingWhy it’s a Saturday Special
It earned strong reviews (85% on Rotten Tomatoes), despite soft box office. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who loves a strong drama.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 37 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated PG-13. Probably too much for younger kids.
Thomas is turning 16. His dad's in the army and they've just moved to a town in New South Wales; his mom is pregnant; his older brother, Charlie, who's autistic, has his own adolescent sexual issues. Thomas finds Charlie an embarrassment in public, so when Thomas is attracted to Jackie, a girl in his swim class, Charlie presents any number of obstacles when she drops by their house, when the three of them go for a walk, and during a family birthday dinner. Can Thomas find a way to enter the world of teen romance and still be his brother's keeper, or is Charlie's disability going to prove more than Thomas can handle?
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
85% on Rotten Tomatoes, 68 on Metacritic
- AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
- AwardsSolid
Won 1 Berlin award: Berlin International Film Festival: Crystal Bear for Best Feature Film "Generation 14plus". Plus 15 other awards.
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$5 million worldwide on a $5 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 24K people sought it out in the past year, and interest is climbing
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Elissa Down
- Rhys WakefieldThomas Mollison
- Luke FordCharlie Mollison
- Toni ColletteMaggie Mollison
- Erik ThomsonSimon Mollison
- Gemma WardJackie Masters
- Sarah WoodsWoman Next Door
- Sam FraserKid Next Door
- Zelie BullenMother in Van
- Anthony PhelanMr. Masters
- Deborah PiperJanet-Social Worker