December Boys (2007)

41% of critics liked it
(69 reviews)
54% of users liked it
(22,026 ratings)

Prolific television and film director Rod Hardy helms this tale of four young orphans coming of age in 1960s-era Australia. Soon after the quartet leaves the orphanage behind for a seaside holiday, rumors that one of them is about to be adopted lead to steadily rising tensions among the tightly knit… More Prolific television and film director Rod Hardy helms this tale of four young orphans coming of age in 1960s-era Australia. Soon after the quartet leaves the orphanage behind for a seaside holiday, rumors that one of them is about to be adopted lead to steadily rising tensions among the tightly knit group. Adapted from Michael Noonan's popular novel by screenwriter Marc Rosenberg, December Boys is headlined by Harry Potter film series star Daniel Radcliffe. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 44 min.
Directed By: Rod Hardy
Written By: Marc Rosenberg
Genres: Drama, Kids & Family

In Theaters: Oct 5, 2007 Wide
On DVD: Dec 11, 2007
Studio: Warner Independent Pictures

Critic Reviews

Ann Hornaday, Washington Post
Radcliffe is good at showing vulnerability but without the skills to give it gradation. The magic doesn't work for him this time.
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
I was not charmed. I was not moved.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
There seem to be two movies going on here at the same time, and December Boys would have been better off going all the way with one of them.
Joshua Katzman, Chicago Reader
Though familiar as an old shoe, this is straightforward and well told.
Ty Burr, Boston Globe
The two halves of December Boys -- the pre-adolescent getting of wisdom and the adolescent getting of action -- never mesh.
David Wiegand, San Francisco Chronicle
The kind of film people call 'uplifting,' and while it is that much of the way, there are times when it's so oversaturated with sweetness and light, it's likely to uplift more cynical viewers from their seats in the movie theater. No matter.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Mildly involving tale of four orphan boys in the Outback
Renee Schonfeld, Common Sense Media
1960s coming-of-age tale with Harry Potter star.
Amy Nicholson, I.E. Weekly
The coast of Australia is an apt setting for Rod Hardy's precious drama: It's Beaches for men.
MaryAnn Johanson, Flick Filosopher
Fans and industry watchers who wonder whether Radcliffe has what it takes to turn his increasingly sophisticated performances in [Harry Potter] into a full-blown adult career as an actor... can see for themselves: the kid's got talent...
Sean Means, Salt Lake Tribune
Director Rod Hardy adds some whimsical touches to an otherwise cliche-filled story, but the young orphans never emerge as full-blooded characters.
Jeff Vice, Deseret News, Salt Lake City
Conflicted but well-acted.
Marc Savlov, Austin Chronicle
Pleasant but pedestrian.
Eric D. Snider, EricDSnider.com
No reason to see it. No reason not to see it, either. Shrug.
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times
Particularly for Radcliffe fans, it's an agreeable journey.

Read all 15 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Featured Audience Ratings

KJ P

I liked it! But it's pretty lacky with the plot!
Alice S

Kinda sweet, but ultimately forgettable. Dan is okay in the angry climax, doofy in the love scene, and really uncoordinated when he's running.
Bannan i

Okay, I know what you're thinking 'What the hell is Harry Potter doing in the outback??" But seriously, you guys should give this a chance...I know not everyone would prefer such a film...but I really really really liked it. Yip, JBitBop...another aussie film that gets… More
Okay, I know what you're thinking 'What the hell is Harry Potter doing in the outback??" But seriously, you guys should give this a chance...I know not everyone would prefer such a film...but I really really really liked it. Yip, JBitBop...another aussie film that gets a shining gold start from moi. ;] Some background, perhaps? This is the story of Maps, Spit, Spark and Misty...four orphans who all happen to have been born in December. Because of this very fact is the basis of their friendship, all of them living in a catholic convent in the outback in about the 60s. They watch as other little boys get happily adopted into families, and silent seethe with jealousy...knowing deep within themselves that it'll never be them smiling with two new parents. Since it is their birthday, and the convent seemed to have set aside some money to take the boys on a holiday to LadyStar Cove. After a long road across the arid scenery, they finally get to the sea where they are welcomed by an older couple named Bandy and Skipper. While there, they swim, splash about, climb over the rocks and simply have a good time. When passing by towards the cove they come across a fair where the 'Fearless Forte' jumps his motorcycle through hoops of fire and death-defying stunts. Being in total awe of this, he discovers that this fearless biker lives just next door to the place they're staying. And meet the couple who are unable to have children, learning that they are looking into adopting one of the four as their own when their holiday draws to a close. Maps, being the oldest, doesn't seem to worry much about being adopted and instead sets his eyes upon a girl named Lucy. While the other three compete to show who would be the most likely candidate for adoption. Things happen that test their friendships and then the feelings of rejection seem to drive a bit of a rift between them. Eventually, these ties become stronger what with the various events that happen in the cove...where they learn what being a December Boy is really about. The scenery in this simply stunned me, it was vibrant and lively...drawing one further into this endearing story of a bamd of orphans. The acting in here was quite decent, as each Boy portrayed what their names meant behind their titles. To be honest, the story sort of reminded me of Les Choristes...so therefore anyone who enjoyed that type of story...would enjoy this as well. Good news avid bookfiends! It's a novel by Michael Noonan...which I have already added to my list as well. :]
Red L

I usually like coming-of-age stories, and this one is OK too. This one focuses on four orphans who happen into a month-long holiday at the other end of Australia. Of course living at the sea-side with real people around is different than their lives at the orphanage.
Dean M

The outback orphanage (four boys) of the 1950s calls them <i>December Boys</i> is a poignant memoir of friendship and family, outstanding and effective coming-of-age drama I ever watched. Daniel Radcliffe does a wonderful performance in this Aussie film as an older oprhan… More
The outback orphanage (four boys) of the 1950s calls them <i>December Boys</i> is a poignant memoir of friendship and family, outstanding and effective coming-of-age drama I ever watched. Daniel Radcliffe does a wonderful performance in this Aussie film as an older oprhan boy.
Andreia C

It's nothing new and original, it's the same old story about orphans. Daniel Radcliffe did a good job in the angry bits, but felt a bit awkward acting the love scene. I liked the ending though.
Yinalí R

Made me cry...Wonderful.
Remi L

Sweet story! The boys in this film were absolutely adorable; I wanted to adopt them all myself!