Danny Deckchair
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Movie Reviews of Danny Deckchair
Movie Review: Absolutely Amazing
Summary: 5 Stars
Rent this right away - totally worth your while - very heart warmingMovie Review: Two word review for why you should own this film
Summary: 5 Stars
Genuinely sweet
Signed,
epsteinsmutha
Movie Review: Helium helps "cute" spirit!
Summary: 4 Stars
Danny Deckchair is one of those extremely cute movies that attempts at every level to be more than just this "cute" movie about a man, but more instead a more soul wrenching story about life. It tries, and at times does, speak to each of us about the daily routine of our day-to-day lives. It is the story of life bundled up in a cute package with Rhys Ifans as our poster child. I don't mean to overuse the word cute, but the film does fall into the "cute" category will full speed. It uses the "cute" principles that I will explain in more detail:
The Cute Principles of Danny Deckchair
Danny is a likeable character from the beginning. Immediately as we begin this film we are attracted to him. Never throughout this film are we against Danny. We are always standing behind him, no matter where he sticks his mind or hands; we are standing right next to him. This is the sign of a "cute" character. He has flaws, but we don't care because we like him so much already. From the moment he falls into cement, he has been given this label. He reminded me of Hugh Grant and that aura that seems to surround him in many of his films.
1) The contrast between Danny's old life and the one that he creates with Glenda borders fantasy. There is so much of a contrast that it is hard to fully appreciate the town that he "falls" into. Throughout this film I continually saw this little town like the nestled "gold city" in the woods. Everyone knew everyone, and it seemed like the community was behind the people instead of the money. Glenda felt like an unfinished puzzle that suddenly became complete once Danny arrived. It all happened so quickly that we are left without any time to ask any questions, but instead accept the plot "as is". I never felt that I was watching a "real" town in the film, but instead a "cute" situation that Danny was accepted into.
2) There was little to no explanation of what Danny had done. Nobody laughed at what he had accomplished with his balloons, nobody questioned his position with the University in great detail, and nobody really dug deep into the life of this complete stranger. In this "cute" little town they accepted Danny for whom he was, not for any truths that may accompany him. This I thought was a bit strange, but is also a main point for a "cute" movie.
3) Finally, the actions of the secondary characters are also very "cute". The fact that Danny happens to arrive to the town almost instantly when elections are coming is hysterical to me. It seemed as if Danny was always supposed to be here (which is what I really liked about this film), the town already was prepared to handle Danny's arrival. The Pancake Political Campaign is the icing on the cake to creating this "cute" environment. Really, you never see this in real life (not often enough), so it was a "cute" action for the political person. Also, when Danny befriends everyone from the wealthy to the poor by communicating to them in some way was very "cute". Again, no explanation was needed, no sub-story needed to be developed, there was this aura of familiarity with Danny that soared to new levels of "cute"-ness.
Perhaps I have overburdened you too much with this "cute" factor issue, but I really walked thinking that it was just this really "cute" film that was flimsily defined, but left you with this amazing sense of goodness in your heart. You really found yourself pulling for this unknown hero. All of us in the audience felt like the town that Danny arrives into, waiting with open arms to welcome him to our community. We nurture the relationship with him and Glenda, while secretly wish that Trudy would somehow disappear. This wasn't a great film by any means, but it was really good. It was a hidden gem in this darkened bleak film world that we live in. I was impressed with the acting, while it provided average entertainment individually; it was when this entire cast connected that really made the picture shine. Ifans captured the role of Danny perfectly; he has that ability to really capture the sense of the "everyman". I think it has to do with the fact that he really doesn't look plastic or too Hollywood. He seems like the type of person that is just like you and I, and I think that is why I associated with him so well in this film. Otto does well with her part, but really could have stretched further. The story was sound, the filming was decent, nothing spectacular, but what really brought this film into the world was the cast. The rounded cast really shined forth bringing to the screen a real sense of community and friendship.
Overall, I enjoyed this film. I would suggest it to friends and family, but it is definitely too "cute" to add to my vastly growing collection. It is one of those films that goes perfectly with a large lager and a stressful day. Danny Deckchair proves that everyone can find their place in life and that sometimes it takes a great feat to accomplish this, but in the end you will find your happiness. It is a powerful message for such a small film, but they (I speak of the entire cast) pull it off with such pizzazz and energy that you find yourself finishing this film with a smile on your face. Decent, but not extravagant Danny Deckchair hits that pleasure button for a good hour and a half and allows all of us cogs in the machine to continue dreaming.
Grade: **** out of *****
Movie Review: "So, Danny, you had a girlfriend up there?"
Summary: 4 Stars
Light and whimsical, Danny Deckchair is so inimitably Australian, that I found myself becoming quite homesick while watching this innocent drama of love and fantasy. This is a story of an ordinary man, who perhaps through no fault of his own does extraordinary things and in the process, irrevocably changes the lives of those around him. Nicely paced, with some quirky, idiosyncratic performances, Danny Deckchair also proves that following one's dreams and being true to one's self is the only way to ultimately be happy.
The movie begins in the southern suburbs of Sydney, where cement truck driver Danny Morgan (Rhys Ifans) is being naturally eccentric. Innocent, and dreamy, his life is in a kind of rut, so he spends his days wondering how he can get he kicks by concocting invention-fuelled schemes. He's loved by his rough assortment of co-workers, but he constantly frustrates his girlfriend Trudy (a wonderful Justine Clarke), who tends to look down on Danny disparagingly calling him "one of the little people."
One day, while Trudy and Danny host a barbecue, Danny blasts into the sky on a lawn chair propelled by helium balloons, much to the shock and horror of Trudy and their friends. He soars above the skyscrapers of downtown Sydney, floats through a violent thunderstorm, and eventually lands in the picturesque town of Clarence on the New South Wales Northern Rivers. Looking like a modern day Jesus Christ, with his long blonde lanky hair and his straggly beard, Danny falls into the backyard of Glenda (a delectable Miranda Otto).
Soon his wide-eyed innocence and unbridled optimism capture the town's folk, and they begin to treat him as a kind of Messiah. Danny step by step begins to reinvent himself, and eventually, through Glenda, finds what may have been missing from his life. He also delivers an important message to the town, which is that egalitarianism, social equality, and every person's contribution to the community, should be equally valued and respected no matter what you do.
Although there are some obvious holes in the plot - such as the news media failing to show a picture of the vanished Danny - the movie unfolds at a brisk place. There's also a nice balance struck between Danny and Glenda's gradual romance, and the social polemics of consensus and community harmony. Of course, Danny's past life eventually catches up with him, and he's forced to make some tough romantic choices, but this is handled so well without a hint of sappiness and schmaltziness.
The movie is also thematically quite metaphorical: Danny through his helium balloons gives wings to his stagnant desires, and though landing in a lush, almost fairytale like setting, he's finally been given the ability to take charge of his destiny. Mike Leonard February 05.
Movie Review: Get Away From It All
Summary: 4 Stars
"Danny Deckchair" isn't a complex movie, nor is it particularly deep. If you're looking for a serious drama about relationships and love, look elsewhere. If, however, you're looking for a genuinely charming and funny movie that will leave you feeling pretty good overall by the end, then this is it.
Danny, a "cement man" in Sydney, Australia, leads a pretty normal life with his girlfriend, his house, his weekend barbeques, and his friends. He does, however, have some pretty crazy ideas. Frustrated in his fruitless attempts to take a vacation somewhere out of the way, and confused by his reaction to his girlfriend's possible infidelity, he comes up with the craziest one ever: strap a huge bunch of yellow helium balloons to a lawn chair and see where it takes him. To the surprise of everyone (including himself!), it works, and it takes him to the little town of Clarence. There, he discovers the possibility of new love in the form of the local parking meter cop who first finds him when he falls out of the sky, and he finds that he can be someone important after all: himself.
I love watching "Danny Deckchair" because it walks so many fine lines so well. It's a little predictable, but not insulting. It's fun and funny, without delving into stupidity. It's a "feel-good" movie but it's not saccharine-sweet. The two main actors (Rhys Ifans and the lovely Miranda Otto) are really likable and have a lot of natural chemistry, without any of it seeming forced or manufactured. It's just a fun movie to watch when you need a pick-me-up, or when you want to feel happy about something. And, corny as it sounds, it's a little reminder about some of the more important things in life...new discoveries, happiness, friendship, and yes, love.
Watching "Danny Deckchair" is kind of like a little vacation all its own, without the extra expense, stress, or the need for a bunch of yellow balloons. Have a seat, grab a cool drink and someone you love to hold on to, and just enjoy it.