December Boys
| Company type | Film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film industry |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Founder | Rod Hardy (director), Marc Rosenberg (writer) |
| Headquarters | Australia |
| Products | Drama film |
December Boys is a 2007 Australian drama directed by Rod Hardy and penned by Marc Rosenberg, based on the 1963 novel by Michael Noonan. It premiered on 14 September 2007 in both the UK and US, followed by an Australian release on 20 September. The story centers on four orphaned boys vying for adoption. This film represents Daniel Radcliffe's first role outside the Harry Potter franchise since his initial acting debut.
Plot
Set in Australia during the late 1960s, the narrative follows four orphans named Maps, Misti, Spark, and Spit—all born in December—who are taken on a seaside vacation by Mr. and Mrs. McAnsh. During their stay, they encounter Fearless, who claims to be a carnival motorbike stuntman, along with his wife Teresa. While Misti, Spark, and Spit develop a rapport with Teresa, Maps finds himself drawn to Lucy, a nearby teenage girl.
The boys learn that Mrs. McAnsh is battling breast cancer. Misti overhears Fearless discussing plans to adopt one of them, prompting rivalry among the boys except for Maps, who remains skeptical about the significance of having parents. Maps forms a romantic bond with Lucy but suffers emotional pain when she departs.
Upon discovering that Fearless is not actually a rider but an animal caretaker, Maps reacts angrily by destroying a painting Misti made portraying Fearless as a father figure. This causes tension among the group until Fearless explains his history as a stunt rider who was injured in an accident that left Teresa unable to have children—motivating their wish to adopt.
When Misti nearly drowns, Maps saves him despite not knowing how to swim. They experience a shared near-death vision before Fearless rescues them both. This event brings the boys back together.
Fearless and Teresa reveal their intention to adopt Misti; however, Misti opts to stay with his friends instead. Many years later, an older Misti returns to the beach carrying Maps' ashes and Lucy's ring. Together with Spark and Spit, they commemorate their bond as "The December Boys."
Cast
- Daniel Radcliffe as Maps (James)
- Lee Cormie as Misti (Vernon)
- Christian Byers as Spark (Donald)
- James Fraser as Spit (Bruce)
- Jack Thompson as Bandy McAnsh
- Teresa Palmer as Lucy
- Sullivan Stapleton as Fearless
- Victoria Hill as Teresa
- Kris McQuade as Mrs. McAnsh
- Ralph Cotterill as Shellback
- Frank Gallacher as Father Scully
- Paul Blackwell as Watson
- Judi Farr as Reverend Mother
Production
Filming took place on location in Yankalilla and Kangaroo Island within South Australia. Freddie Highmore was originally considered for the lead role but was replaced by Radcliffe when Highmore chose to stay in the UK.
Critical reception
On Rotten Tomatoes, December Boys has garnered a 41% approval rating; reviewers praised its picturesque scenery but criticized its coming-of-age storyline for being predictable and overly sentimental. The film holds a Metacritic score of 56.
Box office
At the Australian box office, the movie earned $633,606. Despite widespread release and promotional efforts, it was largely deemed a commercial disappointment due to its modest earnings.
See also
External links
- 2000s coming-of-age drama films
- 2007 films
- Works by Michael Noonan (Australian writer)
- Australian coming-of-age drama films
- Films about adoption
- Films based on Australian novels
- Films directed by Rod Hardy
- Films set in the 1960s
- Films set in South Australia
- Kangaroo Island
- Films about horses
- Films set in the 2000s
- Films set on beaches
- 2007 drama films
- Village Roadshow Pictures films
- 2000s English-language films
- Warner Independent Pictures films
- Warner Bros. films