Danny Deckchair (2003, Jeff Balsmeyer)
Danny’s life as a cement worker leaves only one thing to look forward to: vacation. When his girlfriend cancels on him everything seems lost, and Danny falls into a tailspin of misery. In a bout of self-pity and frustration, he ties a bunch of helium balloons to a deckchair and rises into the air, leaving his life in suburban Sydney far behind.
When he finally comes down, it is in the small town of Clarence. Here he meets Glenda, the town’s one parking cop, who is stuck in the same kind of rut that Danny just escaped. While in Clarence, Danny discovers happiness and self-fulfillment and begins to live the kind of life he had only imagined. Meanwhile, he has become a fixation with the Sydney media as journalists try to track him down, and his old girlfriend enjoys her newfound celebrity.
Danny Deckchair is a well-crafted independent film that’s occasionally predictable, yet quirky enough to stay engaging and full of such a whimsical charm that you can’t help but smile through the whole thing. What could have been a routine romantic comedy turns out to be a ride as magical as the view from Danny’s deckchair as he drifts uncertainly over the Australian countryside. Three-and-a-half stars.
James Brush is a teacher and writer who lives in Austin, TX. He tries to get outside as much as possible.
Obviously Phoebe must have given it a “paws” up too. Is it available for rent?
It’s available on DVD so I assume netflix would have it and Phoebe watched it enthusiastically despite the lack of any strong canine characters.
Have you seen “Grizzly Man”?
Dwayne
I haven’t, but I hear I should.
This was a fantastic film of whimsy feel and great for one of those feelgood movie pick-me-ups, not to mention you get credit for picking a cool chick flick and it’s not even all that chick flickey.
cool soundtrack, too — great Mojave 3 song on it.