The Black Balloon

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Sara H I had too many questions about how the family would actually cope in their situation. What happens when the dad goes to work? When the younger son wants to leave home and can’t help mum? When the baby is a toddler? Etc etc . Movies often neglect these details, but in this one it seems crucial to include them. I mean, apart from the obvious , they don’t seem to have any problems at all. The mum recovers from her medical condition without any further mention. Charlie’s cut foot gets better almost immediately. There isn’t even a conversation about the possibility of their next child being autistic. They centre their lives on caring for Charlie and everything else just works out. Although I didn’t really like the younger brother, he seems to be the only one aware that something needs to change. Rated 2/5 Stars •  Rated 2 out of 5 stars 05/04/25 Full Review Audience Member I love this film because it is thoughtful, kind, confronting and honest. The acting is authentic, and it makes the audience feel truly connected to the characters through their emotional responses to some very challenging social and physical situations. I use this film to teach empathy, the power of the family and unconditional love to year 10 English students. It is always very well received. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/04/24 Full Review Audience Member Set in 1992, this film follows 15 year-old Thomas (Wakefield) who is ashamed and embarrased by his autistic older brother, Charlie (Ford). Having just moved to a new area and school, he meets Jackie (Ward), who surprises him by not letting Charlie's condition come between them. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/20/23 Full Review razvan p stupid direction. rewarding low self esteem and low logic Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Very good well acted movie really enjoyed this Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/08/23 Full Review Audience Member Okay firstly the main character does some really awful and disgusting things in this film. Yet despite this everyone in the film forgives him with no explanations as to why, and the film itself doesn't even focus on how what he has done is absolutely disgusting. It's like he cried a bit, whatever lets get back to being cute. Then the love story is forced in and feels lazy. She likes him cause he stared at her at the pool, seriously they don't even talk that much but she likes him cause reasons. Moreover, the romantic pair have no chemistry they're just bland and dull. In addition, the main character changes motivations because the script said so, not because of how he felt or anything. The script just says when he's meant to be an asshole and when he's not. There was no exploration into his mental state about how dealing with his brother is tough and what he does to him. Plus the film is full of stereotypical characters, because bully's are mean to him cause he's new and cause his brother has autism, there's no effort into any of this they're just mean because the script said so. The whole time this main character gets everything he wants and doesn't suffer any consequences his family are there for him the girl still likes him and the brother and him get along. It's not real, it felt too Hollywood, I just wished it focused on the drama of the issue rather then trying to be funny at the same time. Rated 0.5/5 Stars •  Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Read all reviews

The Black Balloon

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