Rating: PG-13
Starring: Rhys Ifams, Miranda Otto, Justine Clarke.
Rating: 5 stars
Danny, an Australian truck driver, is constantly thinking of innovative ways of escaping his drab life. Subconsciously, he needs a second chance: an opportunity to reinvent himself, to awaken the real Danny that has been suffocated by the mundane reality around him. So, he comes up with a unique plan: he ties several huge, helium filled balloons to a patio chair and off into the blue he goes! A thunderstorm crash lands him in the beautifully bucolic town of Clarence where his sudden and bizarre arrival causes big excitement in the small town. Because no one knows who he is, Danny gets that much wished for "second chance" and proves to himself and all the others around him just how much soul was trapped inside. Meanwhile, back in Sidney, his girlfriend and the media go on a frantic search for him. Will his past, unfulfilled life finally come for him, or will Danny have the chance to find true love, and in the process find his true self? This brilliant, sensitive, funny and intelligent movie runs a bit like a fairy tale - choc full of insights on life, relationships and the pursuit of one's happiness. You might remember Ifams from "Notting Hill" where he played Hugh Grant's loopy roommate. In that movie you could never describe him as "good looking" (quite the opposite!); so it is really astounding to be totally charmed in this film by his, yes, good looks and sweetness. This total reinvention is the mark of a true actor and Ifams shines in this movie. Miranda Otto is beautiful and wonderful as always (you might remember her from the second and third movies of "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy). All the actors in this film do a superb job. I highly recommend this movie for its genial simplicity, and its capacity to warm you heart and widen your view of life in general. May we all have the chance to go on a "flying deckchair trip" once in a while; who knows: our true selves might be just around the bend, waiting to be discovered.
Rating: PG-13