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The Black Balloon

Play trailer Poster for The Black Balloon PG-13 Released Dec 5, 2008 1h 37m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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85% Tomatometer 41 Reviews 84% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
Thomas struggles with having an autistic brother.
The Black Balloon

What to Know

Critics Consensus

A tender and witty portrayal of a family coping with autism, The Black Balloon is heartfelt without being schmaltzy or moralizing.

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Critics Reviews

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Anna King Time Out Rated: 4/5 Nov 18, 2011 Full Review Ben Kenigsberg Time Out Rated: 2/5 Nov 17, 2011 Full Review Michael O'Sullivan Washington Post Thomas and Jackie's friendship, blossoming into a chaste romance, is the dramatic engine that powers The Black Balloon, but it's far from the most important relationship in the film. May 1, 2009 Full Review Mattie Lucas From the Front Row This is standard Hallmark fare but to its credit it never tries to hide from that. Rated: 2/4 Jul 7, 2019 Full Review Al Alexander The Patriot Ledger Autism is a subject most filmmakers fear to broach, but not Aussie newcomer Elissa Down, she attacks the issue with honesty and passion. Rated: B+ May 25, 2013 Full Review Mike Scott Times-Picayune It's a well-meaning film, marked by Luke Ford's sensitive portrayal of a disabled character. But the main character is bland, imparting the same vibe on the rest of the film. Rated: 2.5/4 Aug 14, 2009 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (507) audience reviews
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 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 out of 5 stars 02/20/23 Full Review razvan p stupid direction. rewarding low self esteem and low logic Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Very good well acted movie really enjoyed this 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 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member An insight into families with a disabled person trying their best to live normal lives. Tad depressing but well made with some good acting! Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Black Balloon

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis Thomas struggles with having an autistic brother.
Director
Elissa Down
Producer
Tristram Miall
Screenwriter
Elissa Down, Jimmy Jack
Distributor
Neoclassic Films
Rating
PG-13 (A Scene of Violence|Some Sexual Content|Brief Strong Language)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 5, 2008, Limited
Release Date (DVD)
Mar 23, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA)
$10.3K
Runtime
1h 37m