Danny Deckchair (2004)

So-so

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.
September 10, 2008

Who hasn't wished for a transformation at some point in their lives?

It's been called charming, quirky, delightfully Australian and a lovely little romantic comedy ... but "Danny Deckchair" is all about the power of courage and love to really change our circumstances and transform our lives. Beautifully acted in every respect with glorious lush landscape you'll want to live in, "Danny Deckchair" is a movie to own. August 2, 2008

sweet and romantic

A surprisingly sweet romantic comedy about an average guy who ties his lawn chair to a bunch of balloons and takes off to another city where he is accepted and revered. A cute, albeit a bit off-beat, romantic comedy.
February 1, 2008

Balloon Man

One of the reasons I love independent movies like this is they don't seem to have the boundaries of so many others. They don't feel obligated to anything restricting honesty. That refreshing "throw caution to the wind" attitude is prevalent throughout the movie. A great story, fine acting, and a wonderful romantic comedy blend make this movie work. Fine directing, scenery, and music add to the overall success of the picture. If you enjoy movies like "The Station Agent", be sure to catch this one.

Danny, a concrete worker, finds his life to be in the doldrums from a lack of inspiration and a love life in the toilet. He decides to try something wild so he has a barbeque and his friends help him tie large helium balloons to his lawn chair. The next thing you know a large part of Sidney watches him fly off into a thunderstorm. The city sets about on a dramatic search for him with the media in a feeding frenzy. Danny ends up in a small town where he is taken in by a parking patrol woman. They seem to have a magic he has never known and the whole town takes to him and his ideas. A heartwarming movie suited to most the family. Good quality DVD with no extras. Replayability is fair to good. January 10, 2008

Flying high

If you like off beat comedies, this one is for you. Danny Deckchair is the story of a guy whose flight of fancy lands him in a new world and a new life. A little contrived? Maybe. But Rhys Ifan makes it work. Miranda Otto of Lord of the Rings Fame, is totally believable as a woman for whom love literally falls from the sky. But the best performance may be Justine Clark as Trudy. See how comedies should really be made. November 30, 2007

More reviews at Amazon.com ...