Good story, Not enough for a whole film

Don't listen to the negative reviews

It's fun, it's light, [but] it has a hard time when its tries to get heavy.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

The story of this film is very touching: focusing on four young Australian orphans, the film portrays the end of childhood and the beginning of adolescence. The four boys are united by an immortal friendship strengthened by constant union. Having no family, they became family to one another. The eldest, in fact, no longer has any hope of knowing what it is to have a mother and father. They're sent by the orphanage to a small seashore village as a birthday present but, on this trip, their bonds of friendship and brotherhood will be tested when they suspect that a couple of local residents may be thinking of adopting one of them. It's also a moment of discovery of sexuality. The four are already curious about women, but only one really is old enough to do their sexual initiation.The cast revolves around four young actors, being the oldest and most famous of them Daniel Radcliffe, the eternal "Harry Potter". Lee Cormie, Christian Byers and James Fraser, three actors unknown to me so far, complete the quartet. I think they were all excellent in their respective roles, being the youngest of all to assume the role of narrating the story, in hindsight. Each one will overcome their personal challenges and will mature with it, which makes the film gradually more serious, mature and emotive. At the end, the most emotional scene shows us how that friendship has surpassed the test of time. A word of praise for the choice of filming locations, with beautiful maritime landscapes and enchanting beaches.I think most people who see this movie do it because of Daniel Radcliffe but, after watching it, I think it has a lot more to offer. The whole cast was very good, the place is beautiful but, above all, the story told is very touching.

A touching account of the stresses and joys a group orphaned children (under reasonably good care at an orphanage based in Australia). A group of four, named "December Boys" (DB) primarily because they're all identified as such on their birthday month, are the first selected to be treated to a once-in-a- lifetime opportunity for a Christmas holiday by the sea. The movie takes us across the length of quite an amazing Australian countryside. From the get go, the DB are like brothers in every sense. For Radcliffe, this film overlaps a bit with the Harry Potter movie series. Here he is the eldest of the DB group and the "big brother" of the group, enjoying the experience but less mesmerized by everything than the younger boys in the group. The youngest of the group, "Misty," is very much reminiscent of Radcliffe in "HP Sorcerer's Stone" in terms of his look of wonder and amazement at everything he sees. It's the older and wiser Misty who narrates the story. He's the first to be bitten by the temptation of the little community by the sea. (No Spoilers.)A very heavy element of Catholicism is present throughout the film -- the orphanage is run by religious sisters, a priest chaperones the DBs on holiday, the family sponsoring their seaside holiday is extremely religious, and Misty has a unique understanding of the Virgin Mary and of women in general. (No spoilers, however you should be ready for the religious element coupled with the boyish considerations of good and bad.) The boys are entertained by almost anything, and the members of the little seaside community each have their encounters/shenanigans with the DBs, but midway in the film Misty turns on the group in a desperate effort to secure his adoption by the family sponsoring their holiday. (No spoilers.) Radcliffe ("Map" in the film) is struggling with the fact that he's nearly old enough to be let out of the orphanage; for the majority of the film he tries to play the subdued teenager who isn't easily moved or eager to be adopted, but other factors come into play for him. (No spoilers.)There's a funny confessional scene you'll have to see for yourself, but the most moving aspect of the film is that faith and brotherhood thrive even in the desolate little neighborhood. While nobody in the town is well off by any means, the message to "do unto others..." and to help lift each other up is present among the adults throughout, not only though their words of prayer, but through their quiet actions.The story is very touching and relatable. A lovely film you should watch for yourself.

"December boys" is a tale of growing up, of brotherhood, of love and most of all about friendship. It's a good movie, I really felt that I cared for what happened to the boys, especially Maps and Misty.Teresa Palmer as Lucy is absolutely beautiful, it's the first time I've laid my eyes on her. You'd think she is a brainless blonde when seeing her, but this one actually can act. At least I felt so. I also liked Fearless, Teresa, Bandy and his wife. They all seemed like so very nice people.After a somewhat slow start, I was entertained 'til the very end. I found myself watching with interest. Still, It's a movie I suspect I wouldn't like as much the next time, or the time after that. I know the story, it doesn't feel like it would be so interesting when it's not the first time.All in all, this December boy gives the December boys a 7/10 stars. Well done.

December Boys is an overly sentimental and cliché ridden tale, but it has a special something that makes it work. That something is the engaging performances of the two major boys - Daniel Radcliffe and Lee Cormie.The action takes place during a Christmas holiday of the late 60's or early 70's in Australia. The December boys are four boys from an outback orphanage whose birthdays fall in December. They are given a treat of a vacation at the shore provided by an older couple.The four are three pre-adolescents - Sparks, Spit, and Misty (Cormie) - and one older boy who acts as the big brother of the younger three. He is Maps, played by Radcliffe. The story is told by Misty as an adult and contains many, probably mis-remembered, events of that eventful vacation.The boys are hosted by an older couple with the man being played by Jack Thompson as Bandy. This is a bare-bones part, and Thompson's considerable talents are wasted. Bandy's wife is ill with cancer, and there are some interesting scenes of interactions with the boys but the couple plays a very small role in the whole thing.The vacation cabin is in a small cove accompanied by several others, and the inhabitants of these neighboring cabins provide a number of interesting characters. The most interesting to the boys is a young, childless couple. They are seen as potential parents by the boys, and the three younger ones compete in a battle for their attention - led by Misty.Maps is far more interested in a local teenage girl with whom he develops an intimate relationship. Because Radcliffe became famous as Harry Potter, Russell Edwards of Variety sarcastically states, "Destined to be forever known as Harry Potter Gets Laid…," but I saw much more in Radcliffe's portrayal of a teenager's first love. His performance is richly affecting.December Boys is an entertaining combination of the vacation adventures and fantasies of four boys coupled with that longing purity of first love. It's not a great movie, but it gives the viewer a good feeling and gives this viewer some memories and emotions of times long passed.