December Boys Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Four orphans go on vacation and fight over a couple who can’t decide which kid they want, until one of them realizes friendship is better than parents.

🍿 December Boys: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Orphanage Life

The story begins in a Catholic orphanage in the Australian outback during the late 1960s. Four boys, all born in December and named Maps, Misty, Spark, and Spit, are the closest of friends. They are excited to learn they will be spending their Christmas vacation at Lady Star Cove, a seaside village.

Vacation at Lady Star Cove

The boys arrive at the cove and stay with Bandy and Skipper McAnsh. Their vacation takes a turn when they learn that a young couple, Fearless and Teresa, are considering adopting one of them. The younger boys, especially Misty, begin competing for the couple’s attention, dreaming of a life with a family.

Maps’ First Love

Maps, the oldest of the boys, becomes interested in a girl named Lucy, who is also visiting the cove. He explores his sexuality with her, experiencing his first love and intimacy. This adds another layer of emotional complexity to the boys’ vacation.

Deception and Disappointment

Misty discovers that Fearless isn’t the daredevil motorcyclist he claims to be, leading to disillusionment. Maps’ relationship with Lucy ends abruptly when she leaves the cove. These events create tension and conflict within the group, testing their friendship.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Maps (Daniel Radcliffe): The eldest of the December Boys, Maps grapples with his impending adulthood and experiences his first love while on holiday.
• Misty (Lee Cormie): The youngest of the December Boys, Misty yearns for a family and initially competes fiercely for adoption.
• Sparks (Christian Byers): One of the December Boys, Sparks joins Misty in vying for the affection of a potential adoptive family.
• Spit (James Fraser): Another member of the December Boys, Spit adds to the friendly rivalry for adoption, while maintaining his bond with his friends.
• Lucy (Teresa Palmer): A teenage girl on holiday who becomes Maps’ love interest, introducing him to the complexities of romance and intimacy.
• Fearless (Sullivan Stapleton): A former stunt motorcyclist who considers adoption, sparking competition among the younger boys.
• Teresa (Victoria Hill): Fearless’ wife, who is unable to conceive and considers adopting one of the orphans, unknowingly igniting a rivalry.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Maps: “Just remember Misty, no matter what, you’re still a December boy.” – Maps says this to Misty, emphasizing their bond and shared identity as orphans born in December.
• Maps: “What’s the big deal about having parents anyway?” – Maps expresses his ambivalence about having parents, reflecting their unconventional upbringing.
• Lucy: “Promise you’ll always remember me as your first.” – Lucy asks Maps to remember her after they lose their virginity together.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $4,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $50,715
• Worldwide Gross: $1,175,579

💥 December Boys Reviews

Personal Review

I really enjoyed the feel-good nature of December Boys. The Australian scenery was stunning, and I found myself rooting for the boys to find happiness. While it wasn’t the most groundbreaking film, it tugged at my heartstrings and left me with a warm feeling. The ending, with the older boys returning, was particularly touching and made me appreciate the bonds of friendship.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of coming-of-age stories”
  • “Viewers interested in Australian cinema”
  • “Daniel Radcliffe fans”
  • “People who enjoy stories about friendship and brotherhood”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Brief nudity”
  • “Mild language”
  • “Themes of loss and abandonment”
  • “Illness (cancer)”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Hardy directs a sentimental journey that sometimes feels a bit too manufactured. Radcliffe proves he can handle roles outside of Potter, but the film lacks a certain spark to truly resonate.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “A well-intentioned but ultimately bland coming-of-age story. The Australian scenery is beautiful, but the plot feels predictable and the characters underdeveloped, leaving little lasting impact.
• IGN: “December Boys is a decent, albeit unremarkable, film. Radcliffe’s performance is solid, and the themes of friendship and belonging are heartwarming, but the story lacks originality and depth.

Audience Reactions

The stunning Australian scenery made the movie visually appealing.: Many viewers praised the movie for its heartwarming story and themes of friendship and family.

Daniel Radcliffe’s performance was a pleasant departure from Harry Potter.: Audiences appreciated the film’s simple, feel-good nature and its lack of excessive violence or explicit content.

Overall Consensus: December Boys is a heartwarming coming-of-age story with beautiful scenery and solid performances, although it lacks originality and depth. Many find it a pleasant and feel-good experience.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Freddie Highmore was originally cast as Maps but had to withdraw due to his grandmother’s illness.”
• “Filming took place on Kangaroo Island, South Australia, showcasing the region’s natural beauty.”
• “The filmmakers shifted the story’s setting from the 1930s in the novel to the late 1960s in the film adaptation.”

🖥️ How to Watch December Boys?

December Boys is currently available for purchase or rent on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your local listings for broadcast schedules or other streaming options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed December Boys, you might like these similar films:

• Stand By Me (1986): Both films are coming-of-age stories centered on a group of young boys and their friendship, dealing with themes of growing up and self-discovery.
• The Cider House Rules (1999): Deals with themes of orphanage life and finding family. It explores the longing for belonging and the unconventional bonds that can form.
• Boyhood (2014): A modern equivalent focusing on the passage of time and the evolution of a young person’s life.
• Simon Birch (1998): Explores themes of friendship, faith, and destiny through the eyes of two young boys.

🛒 December Boys Related Products

• December Boys [DVD]: Own the heartwarming story on DVD. Experience the coming-of-age journey of the December Boys with behind-the-scenes features.
• Michael Noonan’s ‘December Boys’ [Paperback]: Dive deeper into the story with the original novel by Michael Noonan. Explore the characters and themes in more detail.
• Australian Outback Scenery Poster: Bring the breathtaking landscapes of the Australian Outback into your home with a high-quality poster featuring iconic scenery.
• Vintage Triumph Motorcycle Model [1:18 Scale]: A detailed replica of the Triumph motorcycle featured in the film. A perfect collectible for movie enthusiasts and motorcycle aficionados.

🎧 Soundtrack

December Boys features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Nobody Knows My Name” – performed by Mitch Grainger

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Daniel Radcliffe Today Show interview: December Boys

Ever wonder what Daniel Radcliffe thought about December Boys while he was still filming Harry Potter? Check out this interview where he talks about the movie, plus a bit about Half-Blood Prince and even Equus. It’s cool to see him juggling so much!

Daniel Radcliffe at the AFI Awards (& December Boys clip)

Want a sneak peek of December Boys and see Daniel Radcliffe at an Australian Film Industry award ceremony? This short clip gives you both! I personally love seeing actors recognized for their work, and it’s cool to get a glimpse of the movie too.

December Boys – All Fall Down

Okay, this fan-made video is surprisingly good! If you’ve seen December Boys, get ready for the feels. It really captures the heart of the movie—I think it might even make you want to watch it again!

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