Maps, as the eldest boy of the group, has given up all hope of finding a family to take him in and finds comfort in the affections of Lucy (Theresa Palmer), the atypical girl-next-door. Captivated by the blond-haired vixen, Maps experiences his series of firsts with the troubled teen, whose sudden departure instigates his battle with the others. While it may be difficult to envision Radcliffe, the face forever tied to the pristine Harry Potter, experiencing his first sexual encounter in a cliff-top cave or sneaking a smoke before heading to bed, he manages to shake the shackles of the Warner Bros. franchise by effectively blending into the background of the film. Radcliffe plays the subdued, introverted Maps with a restraint that enhances not only his own character but also allows other actors, such as Cormie, to shine ever the brighter. Radcliffe's fragile attempt at an Australian accent may be his only downfall; his performance, at the very least, distracts the audience from his waveringly British-sounding speech. The heart of the film, Cormie harnesses all his boyish charm with more skill than his 14 years can explain. As the "December boys" compete to be adopted by the same family, Cormie ably conveys Misty's struggles with preserving his friendships while outperforming his challengers. The child actor's forgivably sycophantic behavior conveys Misty's earnest desire to find a couple to call "Mum" and "Dad" so that, by the end of the film, Cormie persuades the audience to root for Misty despite Spark and Spit's equal desire to be adopted. In the same way, Palmer saves her character from contempt by turning Lucy's naïve sexuality into mesmerizing appeal. Palmer's beauty is upstaged by her ability to bring depth to her character, who does not exist outside the context of another (Maps). Despite her fleeting role in the film, Palmer becomes as vivid a memory for the audience as her Lucy is for Maps. Admirable performances also come from veteran actors Jack Thompson as the naval officer who cares for the boys and Victoria Hill as a wife looking to adopt. But the true star of the film is not an actor but, rather, a location. The idyllic seaside village, complete with mysterious caves and sparkling, deep-blue waters, takes on a life of its own as Hardy frames each scene to enhance the majesty of the setting. Shadows cast by larger-than-life cliffs and light glinting off of the ocean's surface imbue the film with a magical quality that celebrates the Australian coastline. Whether the village really is privy to such awe-inspiring sunsets or whether it is only through Misty's imagination that such a stunning village is concocted is a mystery. Regardless, Hardy achieves this fantastic vision of the country's landscape through the use of sweeping shots and epic camera angles. Offering not only beautiful scenery and equally beautiful performances, December Boys will resonate with audiences for its simple yet meaningful message: Growing up does not have to mean growing apart. | 
