Danny Deckchair

Rating:
Summary: A Fun Filled Time of Feel Good Escapism
Review: "Danny Deckchair" is perhaps the most widely appealing, mainstream fare Lions Gate has ever released. The folks in my audience absolutely loved this movie. And it sure did put a smile on my face as well.

This Australian import is an absolute gem. It's well written, well directed, well acted and well paced. Never a dull or dragging moment. It's like a tonic for those sick and tired of the time worn retreads Hollywood keeps throwing at us. It's clever, romantic, whimsical and very very funny.

It borrows a little from "Wizard of Oz," "Mr. Smith Goes To Washington" and "Working Girl," but never so obvious as to not retain its freshness and originality. It's a little movie with a big heart and HUGE HUGE potential.

In my opinion, this movie could be exactly what America is looking for. In a way, it's the movie "Majestic" wishes it would have been.

Danny's journey is a magical, delightful romp, yet has time to be reflective and convincing. Some will think it's too sugary, too Hollywood. I say it's just what the doctor ordered.

If "Open Water" disappoints, forget about it. We have a real "heavy hitter" on deck. No shaky camera, no artificial buzz, just a down to earth, feel good comedy that puts a bounce in your step and a gleam in your eye.

Rating:
Summary: Five Stars for the "Oz" of It - A Heartwarming Experience
Review: DANNY DECKCHAIR (based on a real event in which one 'Larry Walters tied some 40 weather balloons to his chair hoping to float into the sky, armed with a six pack of beer and a pellet gun to pop the balloons one by one to come back down slowly') is a rare film that celebrates the common man and his access to fantasy.

Rhys Ifans plays the title role of Danny, a cement worker aligned with a secretary-on-the-way-up (Justine Clark), whose simple pleasures in a grungy routine life are squelched by his girlfriend's self-centered ambitions. Danny makes the most of a ridiculous balloon imprinting error in deciding to attempt to do something extraordinary - make a deck chair that can fly - and he succeeds, only to be caught in a storm and eventually falling into the backyard in a town far removed from his home in Sydney, Australia. The owner of the home is a like soul, Glenda (Mirando Otto) who is the sole meter maid in a tiny town filled with folk who are warm, gullible, honest, and simply sensitive.

The pair, Danny and Glenda, set out to make things different for themselves, with the use of a few prevarications, and both 'clean up real good', and alter the little town in a most positive way. And that is enough of the story to share.

The cast is strongly lead by Rhys Ifans' performance: he offers one of the best gentle comedy character creations in memory, absorbing the Aussie accent to a T! He is ably supported by not only Miranda Otto and Justine Clark, but also a 'whole town full' of memorable simple people. DANNY DECKCHAIR is a breath of fresh air that will likely lift your spirits - even without the help of helium balloons! Grady Harp, January 2005

Rating:
Summary: Little Movie With An Enormous Heart
Review: Danny Deckchair is as charming a movie as I've seen in years - a total surprise of a film with a heart as big as the great continent it comes from.

Rhys Ifans is nothing short of amazing as Danny - bringing a believability factor to a role that easily could have come off as slap-shtick. Ifans brings an inherent vulnerability that makes Danny, a bit of a loser, immediately likeable. He isn't fully prepared - nor is the viewer - for the remarkable journey he finds himself taking and Ifans expressive face registers everything; fear, anger, disbelief, acceptance, but most of all wonder. The transformation Danny undergoes upon his unexpected arrival in Clarence is remarkable as his life changes in almost unimaginable ways. Where in Sydney he'd been stuck in a dead end job (where he still made his own fun) living with a woman increasingly growing weary of him, no real prospects for the future and his "lame" ideas shot down at every turn, in Clarence he is hailed as a hero, transforming not only himself but Glenda and the town itself.

Miranda Otto's Glenda is a gloriously rare creature, an enigma: tough yet fragile as lace the town views her almost as an outcast, yet when Danny arrives, she becomes adored by everyone. Otto's transformation is no less astonishing than Danny's and as the film progresses she almost literally glows. She becomes the ideal woman in nearly every way imaginable. When things get tough, we see another crack in her veneer and learn a lot when she cries out "I just don't want to feel." Otto makes it utterly impossible not to fall in love with this beautiful creature.

The supporting cast all turn in terrific performances, both the folks back in Sydney and Danny's new life in Clarence.

The film - and Danny's message comes across loud and clear: there are no little blokes, no little jobs, no little anything, that everything in the world matters and has worth.

Watching Danny Deckchair one slips back a little into a world where anything is possible - especially if you've got a few dozen balloons and a couple tanks of helium!

This gets my highest recommendation.


Rating:
Summary: Helium helps "cute" spirit!
Review: 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 *****

Rating:
Summary: What a great little movie!!!!
Review: Get this movie before someone in Hollywood tries to remake it with Adam Sandler!

Danny Deckchair is an Australian import, with entirely too much charm and gentle humor to miss. Danny Morgan has little ambition, but lots of ideas - like a human slingshot, and pancake breakfasts as the answer to any advertising or PR question for another). His latest brainstorm involves using a number of large balloons to lift him up for a view of the neighborhood. With the aid of his friends, and a few pints of beer, the balloons are filled with helium and tied to his lawn chair. Thanks to a miscalculation - or more correctly, no calculation at all - his ascent is much higher and considerably faster than anticipated. Within seconds he's at the mercy of the northerly winds that transport him from the suburbs of Sydney to the small town of Clarence, where the fireworks of the local Macadamia Nut Festival ultimately bring him down to earth with all of the speed and trauma of his take-off.

He lands in the back yard of the local parking cop - think small town meter maid - and from there the movie splits into two parallel story lines as Danny finds new opportunity and love, while his girlfriend back in Sydney milks his disappearance into her own 15 minutes of fame and fortune. There is little surprise to the way this movie ends, but there is nothing wrong with that.

Rhys Ifans makes Danny believable, both as a clueless construction worker with a penchant for falling into wet cement, and as the "stranger from out of town" that wins the hearts of Clarence. But it's the two female leads that make the film soar! Miranda Otto is radiant as the parking cop, becoming more beautiful by the minute as she warms to Danny's offbeat charm. And Justine Clark as Trudy, Danny's girlfriend back in Sydney must have studied every episode of the Batchelor/Batchelorette and Apprentice series to nail her fame-pursuing character.

My only fear is that someone, somewhere is going to try to remake this little gem into a bigger budget movie with more "star" power. But it ain't broke! So don't fix it!


Rating:
Summary: "You're not normal, Danny."
Review: In the delightful Australian comedy "Danny Deckchair", Danny (Rhys Ifans) is a cement worker who lives for his yearly two weeks holiday. This year, he plans to go camping with his long-time girlfriend real-estate agent, Trudy (Justine Clarke). But Trudy has her ambitious eye on television reporter, smarmy Sandy Upman (Rhys Muldoon), so the holiday is cancelled. Danny is full of imagination, so when Trudy arranges a consolation holiday BBQ, Danny decides to experiment with one of his ideas. He ties helium balloons onto his deckchair, and in front of a house full of guests, he floats away.

Danny lands in a small town where the town's lonely female traffic officer Glenda Lake (Miranda Otto) takes him in and passes him off as a former professor. Meanwhile, a frenzied media circus is forming around Trudy's house, and Trudy can't decide whether to grieve or take advantage of Sandy Upman's proximity.

"Danny Deckchair" is a pleasant, light romantic comedy made more amusing by the film's many bizarre characters. The character of Danny, however, is problematic, and the film's portrayal of Danny--now the Renaissance man who secretly harboured great wisdom is a bit silly. But this is a light, amusing goodhearted distraction, and enjoyable in spite of its flaws. "Danny Deckchair"--believe it or not--is based on a true story--displacedhuman

Rating:
Summary: Romantic Comedy
Review: It was because my wife and I wanted to watch a movie together that I got this one. It looked a bit "alternative," and turned out to be a pretty good romantic comedy from Australia. Honestly, I had my doubts at first, but it turned out to be a very enjoyable film.

Rating:
Summary: "So, Danny, you had a girlfriend up there?"
Review: 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.


Rating:
Summary: Aaaah, Miranda
Review: OK, it is true that I have a bit of a thing for Miranda Otto, but Danny Deckchair does rise above a lot of the MANY quirky Australian films (pardon the pun which will be obvious to anyone who has seen the film).

Danny is a bit of a larrikin in the Aussie vernacular, so he tries a stunt and disappears, only to literally land in Glenda's back yard in a small country town. You know what will happen...there is the jealous local to add counterpoint, the woman left behind who has the affair with the sleazy news man wanting to use the story to get ahead, lives changing, and...well it is a cute ending.

The usual attention in quirky Aussie films to odd and interesting characters, beautiful setting (in the Bellinger Valley), the natural performances and the uplifting tone and message make it worthwhile. And it has Miranda Otto, too.

Much more natural than Hollywood, much more sincere, too, with not too many of the annoying devices like an intrusive soundtrack. Some times a low budget is a virtue.

It is basically fun, but there is a bit in their about human nature and what is, in the end, important. According to this movie, it is deckchairs and love!

Check out Miranda in 'Love Serenade' as well.

Rating:
Summary: I'M IN LOVE WITH THIS MOVIE!
Review: This is the sweetest, goofiest, loveliest movie! Oh man I just love it!! It will make you smile and warm your heart!