Danny Deckchair (2003)

Bad Acting and worse Bad Screenplay

Clever and entertaining enough to recommend even to members of the 1%

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

The seep of the worst aspects of American culture is always depressing to watch. Witness the 2004 Australian film Danny Deckchair, which is an off the rack romantic comedy without a whit of inspiration, and as predictable as they come. Granted, Hollywood romantic comedies can be bad to occasionally mediocre, and this film gently crests out of bad and into tepid mediocrity, but why was it ever made? To prove that Aussies could be as banal as the worst our country produces? Perhaps the secret is that the director and screenwriter was an American named Jeff Balsmeyer, and this was his first film after a career as a storyboardist. Lesson: just because a person can draw scenes others give to them does not mean they can actually write those scenes well. In short, since the film is so generic it's probably not the sort of outing that will have producers clamoring to give him a second shot. The premise for the film comes from the spate of real life nuts who tied balloons to chairs and other devices, and took off into the skies. The first recorded nut was a man called 'Lawnchair Larry' Walters, who took off in June of 1982, and years later suicided.Now, perhaps the actual flight, and a good story tacked on to it would be worth filming, but this is a B-level Julia Roberts film with a good starting gag, but lacking Roberts, who despite her deficiencies as an actress, has an undeniable cinematic 'presence'. None of the actors in this little film has anything near that sort of presence.

I watched this movie with my wife the other night as a change of pace. To be honest, she did not get it and wanted to turn it off after 15 minutes. I almost agreed to do it, but one thought kept me from turning it off. I liked the main character. He sort of came across as a person that I would be friends with, and as such, I wanted to know what would happen to him.His adventures are fun, if perhaps a bit formulaic, and the outcome is never in doubt, but I never minded because to me, the movie was meant to be about the everyday life of an ordinary guy who made an unusual decision and in this regard the movie excelled.The acting is understated and convincing. The main and secondary characters are well written, perhaps a bit clichéd (I think this adds to the movie by keeping you focused on Danny).If you are looking for a fun lighthearted movie, give this one a chance. Be prepared, the movie takes a while to get going so make sure not to be hasty in your decision. BTW, at the end, my wife was also rooting for Danny, and her rating would be a 7.

Danny Deckchair is wonderful!For no reason whatsoever I stopped & watched "Danny Deckchair." Watch out, because those are the films that will get you.Lo & behold, I discovered Danny Deckchair to be a little wonder from Down Under. It's uplifting, fun, funny, romantic and downright inspiring.It says, "if you're stuck in your situation you don't like you do not have to remain there. You can enact change and pretty much become whoever or whatever you want." Terrific lesson here. Granted, easier said than done - but definitely do-able.Wonderful lesson; and a charming and wonderful movie.BTW, Rhys Ifans is terrific as Danny! Ditto for Mirando Otto et al! And, Brooke Leal's song that closes out this charming romance, "What About You?" is ideal. Marvelously catchy song whose lyrics fit this film to a "T."

I wish we'd distribute more widely treasures from Canada, the UK, and Australia in the U.S. I had to dig to find this film for rental, but I am now looking into how I can purchase it for my library.The longing is an old one but the story is told in such a fresh and sometimes quirky new way that the viewer at once is struck by its freshness yet also experiences that shock of recognition by which all human experience is bound.The story, acting, directing - everything works superbly. I am now more a fan than ever of well told and portrayed stories about people relating to each other and their world to dig deeper to find the happiness that is possible for each of us.Thanks, mates, for a delightful film. Please keep them coming. You will love this film!