"December Boys" is one misleading movie. Based on the trailer, one would expect to see a movie about four orphans coming of age on vacation in 1950s Australia. These kids would laugh and learn together as they fight for the attention of a young couple seeking to adopt.
In this anticipated version, it would be illogical to include a crazed fisherman, Henry, and his mighty catch. Similarly ridiculous would be the appearance of terminally ill, elderly matriarch, Skipper, who spouts Bible quotes and also frightens the children when they assume she is dead. Even more unlikely is the presence of religious hallucinations involving nuns who promise adoption and then promptly showcase their cartwheeling skills.
Yet all of these things - and many more bizarre - can be found in "December Boys."
As aforementioned, the film chronicles the boys' trip from the Australian outback to the coast where they spend their collective birthday month fighting and playing. The oldest, Maps (played by Daniel Radcliffe), divides his time between bonding with the other orphans and meeting Lucy (Teresa Palmer), a local girl with far more romantic experience than he can handle or imagine.
The other three orphans are the rag-tag bunch known as Misty (Lee Cormie), Sparks (Christian Byers) and Spit (James Fraser). Misty, the narrator, tells us of his "spiritual antennae" which allow him to see and converse with famous religious figures, along with nuns and priests every so often. Sparks and Spit play back-up to the other two boys and are rarely seen alone, though they compete with Misty to be adopted.
The couple for whom the boys compete is just as bizarre as the boys themselves: French immigrant Teresa (Victoria Hill) and daredevil cyclist called Fearless (Sullivan Stapleton). Teresa is first shown as a goddess emerging shirtless from the ocean to rub sunscreen on the faces of the four, wide-eyed youngsters. Though seemingly impossible, her character becomes even less realistic as the movie progresses.
The film lacks a flow and pace with its many irrelevant scenes and unrealistic dialogue. For instance, Maps goes to find Fearless at a carnival only to end up punching a man in the face and becoming so enraged that he destroys a painting. This violent rage is totally unexpected when all along Maps has been calm and collected, the sort of young adult that can control himself in any situation.
This Hulkian transformation is one of many that the characters go through without explanation or resolution. When Misty sees Teresa, he loses his spiritual guidance only to find it again moments later, refusing to look at a pornographic magazine. The audience is left in the dark as to whether or not the four boys actually change during this magical summer away from their Catholic orphanage.
Unfortunately for the four quite talented leads, most of the cast is weak, and it brings down the quality of the already floundering script. Hill's French accent is most unrealistic and poor Radcliffe's Australian drawl slips in and out during some scenes. Otherwise, Radcliffe does well in his first feature film since starting the "Harry Potter" franchise, though it is quite difficult at times not to wonder where his dress robes and wand are.
Australian-born Cormie is the acting highlight of the film, which is fortunate, considering he carries most of the weight. His character's spirituality, innocence and high moral standard bring to mind Alex Etel's Damian from "Millions" (2004). If you're interested in seeing a great movie about boys, religion and losing a parent (or if you want to see what "December Boys" could have been) check out the little-known Danny Boyle flick.
"December Boys" tries to be a comedy and a drama and, at odd times, a suspenseful thriller, but too many genres, among other flaws, spoils the potential of this creative plotline.
The overly dramatic music, flash-forward to show the boys as men running on a hilltop, and close-up eye shots of Misty were hysterical despite what director Rod Hardy may have had in mind. On the flipside, the majority of the intended jokes fell flat in the audience.
Ultimately, "December Boys" tries too hard to do too much in too many directions. It is this indecisive nature that causes it to fail to come of age into anything worth watching.
