The Black Balloon (film)

The Black Balloon is a 2008 Australian comedy-drama film starring Toni Collette, Rhys Wakefield, Luke Ford, Erik Thomson, Gemma Ward as well as a cast of newcomers. It is directed by first-time feature film director, Elissa Down. Mollison family Thomas He's not a spastic, he's autistic. Does Russell like monkeys? Charlie likes monkeys. Thomas likes monkeys. Does Russell like dancing? Charlie likes dancing. Thomas likes dancing. You remember when we were little? We used to have baths with dad, and we'd rub soap into his legs and they were so hairy they'd always go white? Then he'd fart and we'd start clapping and you'd go, 'poo-poo noises', 'poo-poo noises'. I've hated being your brother. Every night I used to close my eyes and wish that when I woke up you'd be normal. But you won't. You just pissed on my leg, didn't you? Charlie Duh. [moans] Maggie Your brother will never be able to do the things you can Thomas, He will live with us for the rest of his life. Cheeky Monkey. Charlie, I’m gonna take away a star. No, Bad, Charlie! Running away is bad! and how many time have I told you? You don’t go into other peoples' houses! [grabs a star] Done! Simon All I know is he's my own, and you're weak as piss if you don't look after your own. Jackie Masters [in her bathroom and sees Charlie and Thomas inside the houses and screaming] Dad, what’s going on?! Close your eyes, what do you see? Russell Thomas doesn't like buses! Thomas doesn't like buses! No. Russell doesn't like monkeys. Russell doesn't like monkeys. Russell doesn't like Charlie. Bad, Charlie! Bad! Dialogue thumb|Nine more means Super Nintendo! Boy: Why's your brother a spastic? Thomas Mollison: He's not a spastic. He's autistic. Boy: Same diff. Thomas Mollison: No, not really. Boy: He doesn't talk and shit. Thomas Mollison: Yes, he doesn't talk. Boy: Then why does he make all that fuckin' noise? Maggie Mollison: Hello, boys. Where do you live? Maggie Mollison: Simon the underwear goes on the inside. Simon Mollison: Maggie please you don't have to worry about it. Maggie Mollison: It's very embarrassing. Maggie Mollison: Your brother will never be able to do the things you can, Thomas. He'll never get a job or have a family. He'll never be able to look after himself. He will live with us for the rest of his life. So if there's anything... that your father... [?] and I can do to help make your father, your brother's life... Thomas Mollison: Mum. Maggie Mollison: a little happier... Thomas Mollison: Mum, stop. Maggie Mollison: A bit... Thomas Mollison: Stop. Maggie Mollison: a more bit happier, then we're gonna... I'm fine. Thomas Mollison: No, you're not fine, mum. Give me the brush! Maggie Mollison: I'm fine! Simon Mollison: What the fuck's going on here?! [?] Right, that's it. Come on. Well, I don't fucking care. Maggie Mollison: I couldn't friggin' leave it there, could I? Simon Mollison: Come on. We're going to the hospital and you're staying. Come on, Maggie. Just breathe. Just breathe. That's it, Magpie. Just breathe. Russell: [sitting next to Thomas, who does not have autism but has been forced to get a ride to his school by riding in the special-education school bus with his brother Charlie who has autism; Russell has autism and is Charlie's friend] Are you riding the bus? Are you coming to our school? Thomas Mollison: No, no! Russell: Oh, yes you are! Thomas is coming to our school! Thomas is riding the bus with Charlie! Thomas is riding the bus with Russell! Do you like buses, Thomas? Do you like buses? Thomas Mollison: [says nothing, but scowls and frowns with discomfort] Russell: [loudly, with the semi-musical inflection of reciting a nursery rhyme] Thomas doesn't like buses! Thomas doesn't like buses! [laughing loudly] [At the local supermarket ???] Checkout Girl: That's one hundred and twenty eight dollars and twenty five cents. Simon Mollison: I've only got a hundred on me, sorry. Thomas Mollison: I told you. Mum said you'd balls this up. Simon Mollison: Yeah, thanks a lot, Thomas. [???] Simon Mollison: Now be a good boy, Charlie. Daddy's got to put some of this stuff back, all right? [???] Simon Mollison: Just settle down, champ. Charlie, settle down. Charlie, don't be silly! Charlie. Charlie get up. Just... Charlie, Charlie stand up. Charlie stand up. Look, Charlie, Daddy hasn' enough money. Daddy hasn't enough money, so he's got a few things back. Charlie. Charlie, the nice people here want to do their shopping, so you're just going to have to stand up, all right? Charlie. Charlie? Charlie, Charlie? Charlie, get up! Thomas, for chrissakes help me, would you? [to Checkout Girl] I'm sorry about this. Thomas Mollison: Charlie, come on. Yes I know, Dad didn't get the specials. Charlie, get up. Charlie, please, please. I know. I know. Dad didn't get the... Oh please! Oh, come on get up! Woman: [on speaker] Security! Check out two! Simon Mollison: Charlie, for godssake! Stand up! Stand up now! Come on! Get up! GET UP! Stand up! Get up! Stand up! Stand up! Stand up! C'mon! [Back home from local supermarket] Simon Mollison: Yeah, hang on, Charlie, hang on. Daddy'll get you some dinner, all right. How's that? I'll get you some eggs if you like? Want some eggs? Want some sausages? How many sausages do you want? Six sausages? Two? Thomas Mollison: Look Charlie, no stars! [Charlie moaning roars] Simon Mollison: There's no need for that. All right? Thomas Mollison: Dad, he's got to learn! Simon Mollison: It's over! For some fucking peace and quiet, just leave it. All right? Thomas Mollison: He gets away with everything! Simon Mollison: Just... Charlie! Just chill! Thomas, for fucksakes! [Charlie ???] Simon Mollison: Charlie! Just... Thomas Mollison: Charlie! [???] Thomas Mollison: Dad, do you ever wish Charlie was normal? Simon Mollison: All I know is he's my own, and you're weak as piss if you don't look after your own. Jackie Masters: Close your eyes, what do you see? Thomas Mollison: Black. Jackie Masters: Look harder. Russell: No. Russell doesn't like monkeys. Russell's Mum: Oh... Russell: Russell doesn't like monkeys. Russell's Mum: You want... Russell: Russell doesn't like Charlie.[Charlie spits at him again, screaming, and wails. Russell’s dad holds him to calm down] Simon Mollison: Charlie, that’s enough! Settle down, all right? Settle down. Charlie, just... Russell: Bad, Charlie! Bad! Russell's Mum: Shh! Sweetie, Sweetie, It's OK. It's OK. You don't have to... Russell: Bad, Charlie! Bad! Teacher: Charlie, you'll just have to go on stage by yourself. Charlie Mollison: No. Teacher: No, you can do it. You're a big boy. Come on, Charlie. Charlie Mollison: No, no. Teacher: Come on. Be a good boy. Come on. On stage. Maggie Mollison: Simon, have you mowed the lawn yet? Simon Mollison: Rex said I didn't need to! Maggie Mollison: I'm gonna kill that bear! About The Black Balloon Cast Rhys Wakefield as Thomas Mollison Luke Ford as Charlie Mollison Toni Collette as Maggie Mollison Erik Thomson as Simon Mollison Gemma Ward as Jackie Masters Lloyd Allison-Young as James Nathin Butler as Chris Lisa Kowalski as Sally Firass Dirani as Russell Sarah Woods as Janet Kieran Smith as Elephant No. 2 Ryan Clark as Dean Rebecca Massey as Miss Babb Henry Nixon as Trevor External links 0865297 The Black Balloon Category:2008 Australian films Category:2008 English-language films Category:Films directed by Elissa Down Category:Australian comedy-drama films Category:Teen films Category:Australian coming-of-age films Category:Romantic drama films Category:Films about brothers Category:Films about autism Category:Films about dysfunctional families Category:Films set in Sydney Category:Films set in the 1990s