Review of The Black Balloon (2008) by Alex R — 07 Jan 2010

I came to this with virtually no preconceptions, and was delighted to have seen it. It's a terrific Australian 'kitchen-sink' drama set around the lives of a family caring for their severely autistic son.

The main star name is Toni Collette, who has surely made the 'saintly mother' role her own. And while she puts in a terrific performance, she mainly lets the male actors steal every scene.

Erik Robinson is wonderful as the Father, desperately trying to hold everything together. Rhys Wakefield plays the younger brother Thomas beautifully, trying to fit in at school, trying to fit in with girls, trying to cope with his own adolescence, while his whole world seems focused on his elder brother Charlie.

Luke Ford gives an amazing physicall performance as Charlie, a toddler in an adult body. He's utterly compelling and natural, which is all the more important as the film rarely dwells on him, instead allowing and forcing the viewer to understand the impact on and feelings of his family, occasionally presenting us tough scenarios.

It dares us to feel pity for them all. Each new scene made me nervous, I knew it probably wouldn't go well. I felt desperately for Thomas. But throughout the family is wonderfully drawn, full of tenderness, tension and weariness. And ultimately acceptance.