The Black Balloon

A nice, small, well-focused indie "feeler" that didn't move me in any significant way, but which also didn't irritate me (as others sometimes manage to do). Gemma Ward is magical, and so are some of the situations, for example the bear dialogues. An enjoyable and visually pleasing film. (03/19/2012)

At times I found the autistic "scenes" and "outbursts" a bit overdone and purely calculating, but that would be about the only flaw in the film.)) DiCaprio's performance in What's Eating Gilbert Grape struck me a bit more, after all, and while The Black Balloon has some really powerful (Thomas' party) and beautiful scenes (spending an afternoon together with Charlie and hiding from the rain), the final impression is a bit weaker than the aforementioned Hallström film. But nice and well made – that it certainly is :))) (06/13/2010)