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The Black Balloon

Play trailer Poster for The Black Balloon PG-13 2008 1h 37m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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85% Tomatometer 40 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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Michael O'Sullivan Washington Post 05/01/2009
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. Go to Full Review
Walter V. Addiego San Francisco Chronicle 04/17/2009
3/4
The film's vision is neither a grim wallow nor falsely cheerful. It's compassionate but unblinking, and in the end we can't help but admire the genuine strength of how its characters accept their special challenge. Go to Full Review
Michael Phillips Chicago Tribune 04/10/2009
3/4
At its sharpest Elissa Down's feature directorial debut is guided by intense, rough-edged emotional swings that feel authentically alive, even when the script settles for tidiness. Go to Full Review
Mattie Lucas From the Front Row 07/07/2019
2/4
This is standard Hallmark fare but to its credit it never tries to hide from that. Go to Full Review
Al Alexander The Patriot Ledger 05/25/2013
B+
Autism is a subject most filmmakers fear to broach, but not Aussie newcomer Elissa Down, she attacks the issue with honesty and passion. Go to Full Review
Mike Scott Times-Picayune 08/14/2009
2.5/4
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. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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babyamgcuz T @RT26736564 1d I think this movie carried a lot of perjorative language but also carried a meaning full moment, seeing Thomas grow to love his older brother is a beautiful story and seeing Thomas find love with someone like Jackie who treated Charlie like a regular person made the movie a sweet tale. See more Sara H @RT39713688 05/04/2025 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. See more Marissa T @RT86760487 09/04/2024 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. See more 02/07/2017 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. See more razvan p @n1mr0d 01/26/2017 stupid direction. rewarding low self esteem and low logic See more 11/08/2016 Very good well acted movie really enjoyed this See more Read all reviews
The Black Balloon

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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 (Some Sexual Content|Brief Strong Language|A Scene of Violence)
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