December Boys (2007)

Set amidst the sun-baked landscape of the Australian Outback in the late 1960s, 'December Boys' is a poignant narrative that unfolds through the eyes of Misty, an adult reminiscing about a life-altering summer of his adolescence. The story is centered around four inseparable friends - Misty, Maps, Spark, and Spit - bound together by the shared experience of living in a Catholic orphanage and the unique bond of being born in the month of December. Gifted with an unexpected windfall, the orphanage decides to offer each resident a group holiday, honouring their birthdays. The 'December Boys' are the first to embark on this adventure, journeying to the picturesque Lady Star Cove on the Australian coast. Their hosts are the McAnshes, Bandy and "Skipper", who open their hearts and home to the boys during this festive season. What begins as a carefree holiday soon shifts into a transformative exploration of camaraderie, dreams, and destiny. The tide turns with the revelation of three pivotal events: the true reason behind the McAnshes' invitation, Maps' journey into the realm of adolescence with the bewitching Lucy, and a secret that has the potential to shatter their friendship. The secret is the whisper of a rumour, that Fearless and Teresa, a young couple from the cove, might be considering adopting one of the boys. A childless couple, they are drawn to the possibility of starting a family, while Fearless, a professional stunt motorcyclist, holds an additional allure for the boys. The prospect of a loving home and a sense of belonging fuels the dreams of the boys, particularly the younger ones. Misty, the youngest and perhaps the most hopeful, goes to great lengths to ensure he is chosen, even withholding the news of potential adoption from his friends. 'December Boys' is a tender tale of hope, friendship, and the quest for belonging, as seen through the lens of one boy's memories. It's a story that Misty chooses to share at this juncture in his life, a story that traces the footprints left on the sands of time by one unforgettable summer.

December Boys is a drama movie featuring Daniel Radcliffe and directed by Rod Hardy.

December Boys is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy.

It is also possible to buy December Boys on Amazon Video, Apple TV, DIRECTV, Google Play Movies, Vudu and YouTube.