The Black Balloon (2008) on Netflix
Thomas Mollison wants to fit in at a new school, but his older brother Charlie, who is autistic, needs constant care. Jackie, a girl in his swim class, takes an interest.
- Netflix3.4/5
- IMDb7.2/109,481 votes
- Rotten Tomatoes85%
Trailer
Plot summary
Thomas Mollison is about to turn 16 and his family has just moved to a new house in New South Wales. His father, Simon, serves in the army and his mother, Maggie, is pregnant, with doctor's orders to rest because of her blood pressure. Charlie, Thomas's older brother, has severe autism and ADD and signs with the family. While Maggie is laid up, the care of Charlie falls to Thomas, and Charlie bolts from the house, leading his brother to a neighbor's bathroom and to Jackie Masters, a girl from Thomas's swim class, who comes by to return Charlie's monkey hat. Thomas wants to fit in at a new school and to get close to Jackie, and Charlie keeps getting in the way.
Cast
- Zelie Bullenas Mother in Van
- Deborah Piperas Janet - Social Worker
Did you know?!Facts and trivia about The Black Balloon (2008)
Can contain spoilers, watch the movie first.
- The 'Animals Afloat!' musical segment in The Black Balloon was cast from teenagers and young adults whose lives are affected by autism and Asperger's Syndrome; some of the cast have high-functioning autism themselves, while others were their siblings.
