In Case You Missed It Monday… ‘December Boys’

‘December Boys’ was directed by veteran TV director Ron Hardy, who rarely does film but given he is from Australia it seems he felt a particular connection with this story. Despite his lack of cinematic experience, Hardy is well-versed in the ways of the director, having helms several episodes of some great television shows including Burn Notice, In Plain Sight, Doll House, Battlestar Galactica, The Practice and The X-Files, not to mention several made-for-TV movies.

Based on the novel by Michael Noonan, the story follows a group of four orphaned boys all born in the month of December, who have grown up together to become close friends. The four boys, Maps (Daniel Radcliffe), Misty (Lee Cormie), Sparks (Christian Byers) and Spit (James Frasier), are sent by the orphanage on a holiday, or vacation, to a small seaside town. While the trip quickly becomes a fascinating adventure for the boys, they eventually discover that they are essentially competing for a single adoption spot with the family they are staying with during their vacation.

‘December Boys’ is narrated by Misty as an older man, voiced by veteran Australian character actor Max Cullen (Australia, X-Men Origins: Wolverine). Misty is a quiet but imaginative spectacle-wearing buy whose friends are more outgoing. The movie has a great deal of thematic and nostalgic similarity to ‘Stand by Me’ without the dead body and Stephen King sensibilities. ‘December Boys’ is a magical story of youth in exploration and the innocence of childhood colliding with the facts of life.

Daniel Radcliffe was likely cast for name recognition and to draw in the tweener crowd. His character, obviously older than the other three boys, has a significant role in the movie as it reaches its climax. Unfortunately, Radcliffe is shown up by the younger actors. The adult cast provide appropriately understated performances that eccentuate the focus of ‘December Boys’ on it being a story lived by and told from a child’s point of view.

Visually, the movie is well-photographed by David Connell and offers shot after shot of picturesque landscapes and pleasantly composed images of postcard perfection. This, accompanied by a warm and welcoming score by Carlo Giacco and a soundtrack of songs that are equally likable, places us perfectly in the right era and frame of mind to experience the most from ‘December Boys’.

Overall, ‘December Boys’ is a heart-felt story centered around a bittersweet situation, handled with a gentle but honest touch. While a few of the scenes with the adults can feel a bit like they belong in a television drama, the boys’ scenes make the movie into the adolescent adventure it becomes.