Synopsis
An adolescent boy from a most idiosyncratic family attempts to adjust to his new neighborhood as his sixteenth birthday looms on the horizon in this family drama from director Elissa Down. Thomas is about to turn sixteen, and as if adjusting to a new neighborhood, a new school, and new friends isn't enough for a teenage boy to contend with, his family is about as unpredictable as they come. His autistic older brother Charlie suffers from ADS syndrome, and attends a special school on the days that he actually chooses to go. His father Simon is an enormous cricket fan who is prone to holding intense discussions with his teddy bear, and his mother Maggie is a free spirit who sleeps with pretty much whomever she pleases. Recently, Thomas' mother revealed that she is pregnant. As a result, Thomas finds himself looking after Charlie much more frequently than usual. When Charlie strips half-naked and dashes into the neighbor's house in search of a bathroom, Thomas storms in after him and encounters pretty classmate Jackie - who is currently attempting to take a shower. Mortified, Thomas begins to realize that he might not be capable of caring for Charlie. Later at school, Thomas realizes that he'll have to learn to swim before he earns his lifesaving badge. Of course every student in class needs to have a partner, and it just so happens that Thomas' partner is a pretty fellow pupil named Jackie. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
Year: 2008
Runtime: 97
Country: Australia
MPAA Rating:
for some sexual content, a scene of violence, and brief strong language
Category: Feature
Sound
Dolby Digitial
Produced by
Black Balloon Prods.
Film Finance Corp. Austrailia
Icon Entertainment
Release
December 05, 2008 (USA - Limited)
by
Icon Film Distribution
Awards
2008 - Crystal Bear - Berlin International Film Festival
2008 - Crystal Bear - Berlin International Film Festival
2008 - Film Presented - Edinburgh International Film Festival
2008 - Film Presented - Hamptons International Film Festival
2009 - Film Presented - Palm Springs International Film Festiva