December Boys (PG-13)

1960s coming-of-age tale with Harry Potter star.

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Movie details

Studio: Village Roadshow
Directed By: Rod Hardy
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Lee Cormie, Teresa Palmer
Running Time: 105 minutes
Release Date: 09/14/2007
Video/DVD Release Date: 12/11/2007
Genre: Drama
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA Explanation: sexual content, nudity, underage drinking and smoking.

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that underage boys secretly smoke, drink beer and wine, and try to catch glimpses of women in states of undress. Their attempts are amateurish and relatively innocent. One scene dramatizes an adolescent boy's introduction to kissing and sexuality by a precocious girl slightly older, but experienced. No nudity involved, but there is kissing, suggestive touching, and a clear implication that sexual intercourse takes place when the scene ends. The fact that Maps, the boy involved, is played by Daniel Radcliffe, best known as Harry Potter, adds to the provocative nature of the scene.

Families can talk about the fact that this film is set in the 1960s. What's different about growing up now? What's the same? The December Boys encounter a variety of adults in a small town. How do the boys change as they get to know different people? What did the filmmakers hope to say about what diverse people bring to our lives?

Message
Violence
Sex
Language

Message

Social Behavior:

Conflict comes from mildly immature and insensitive behavior of four orphaned boys visiting a small village populated by principled, well-meaning adults. There are no villains here. Even a mentally unbalanced member of the community is treated humanely and with respect. As the boys begin to trust and depend upon the adults in the town, as well as each other, positive lessons are learned.

Consumerism:

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Boys hide cigarettes and smoke in numerous scenes; boys sneak beer and drink it; teen boy and girl share wine from bottle.

Violence

Boy hits adult male once in face with fist; boys briefly wrestle angrily with no resulting injuries; younger boy hits older friend with a stick several times, bruising his face.

Sex

Young boys look at brassiere ads, spy on adult females undressing in shadows and silhouetted in shower. Adolescent girl seduces innocent hero, kissing him and showing him how to touch her. He unbuttons his pants and off-screen sexual intercourse is implied. No nudity or other overt sexuality in this scene.

Language

Infrequent mild swearing: "hell," "for Christ's sake," "s--t."

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Renee Schonfeld

Four young friends from an Australian orphanage, all with birthdays in December, receive a surprise two-week Christmas holiday in a small, close-knit seaside village. Once there, in the midst of the generous, homespun, and occasionally eccentric members of the community, the boys learn that one of them may be adopted by an idealized local couple. The competition that arises among them threatens their friendship and their loyalty. At the same time, Maps, the oldest of the boys, falls in love with the beautiful niece of one of the residents and is forced to come to terms with some decidedly adult emotions and actions.

Is it any good?

This is a beautifully photographed and deceptively simple film. Australia has never looked so wonderful. The people who impact the lives of the four orphans are revealed to have complex and often difficult stories themselves. Part of the boys' journey is learning how first impressions are often deceiving. Their coming-of-age involves more than the usual pain of self-awareness. DECEMBER BOYS takes into account the intricacies and nuances of the human heart, and respect for and deeper understanding of others. The sexual encounter between Maps and Lucy is the one element of the movie that makes it questionable for younger kids and not-quite-so-mature teens.