Review of December Boys (2007) by Victor L — 12 Nov 2012

December Boys bathes in the summer sun and sea breezes even as it exudes the energy of youth and promise. The cinematography by David Connell is grand and beautiful, with magnificent locations in Adelaide and Kangaroo Island. The performances are strong all around. Cormie really deserves the star billing he's denied, but Radcliffe certainly acquits himself competently as an awkward teenager in the throes of first love. Thompson is believably noble as an elderly husband who cannot stop the advance of the disease that is taking his wife from him, bit by bit, every day. And McQuade is heartbreaking no matter how lame the dialogue she's given in Mark Rosenberg's screenplay. Third-rate special effects notwithstanding, spirituality is one of the central themes of "December Boys," or, more correctly, faith, not just in divine power, but in our fellow man. Though familiar as an old shoe, this is straightforward and well told...

VERDICT: "In The Zone" - [Mixed Reaction] These kinds of movies are usually movies that had some good things, but some bad things kept it from being amazing. This rating says buy an ex-rental or a cheap price of the DVD to own. If you consider cinema, ask for people's opinion on the film. (Films that are rated 2.5 or 3 stars).