The Black Balloon - watch film
Wednesday, August 27th, 2008
Watch The Black Balloon film. A film “The Black Balloon” by Elissa Down. The Black Balloon opens with an awkward dance between filmmaker and audience, the latter trying to suss whether the able bodied actor is playing an autistic character or is lazily impersonating the illness, all obvious ticks and embarrassingly broad gestures. The family portrayed has its eccentricities but you could not describe it as dysfunctional. Equally fine is the performance by Luke Ford. Playing a handicapped character is a challenge for any actor, but Ford is totally convincing as Charlie. Never do we consider he’s an actor playing a role. Sixteen year-old Thomas (Rhys Wakefield) is an impish, often self-involved hero, perpetually embarrassed by his autistic older brother, Charlie (astonishing newcomer Luke Ford). As director, Elissa Down has a nice light touch, and the prejudice and distaste the family have to deal with are neatly sketched in. All in all it is a real good film about growing up and growing up with a tremendous challenge making it harder on you. I loved it, and even more so because I know what Thomas went through from personal experience. Watch free full The Black Balloon film online.
