MovieChat Forums > December Boys (2007) Discussion > I'm sorry but I just don't get the point...

I'm sorry but I just don't get the point of this movie

posted 16 years ago by CaptainOats93
17 replies | jump to latest

Really, it had NO plot and there were so many scenes that were so incredibly random.

When Misty saw the nuns doing cart-wheels, for example. And I didn't understand the whole scene where that one boy went fishing, and the pole broke, and the old guy started cracking up. And why was it that at the end Maps thought that Misty should be the one adopted? To be perfectly honest, Misty annoyed the crap out of me. And why were there only three of them frolicking around at the very end?

There seemed to be a lot of scenes that had no real place in the movie. It just didn't make sense.

I saw a preview for December Boys, and I thought it might be good, but after seeing it I just feel thoroughly confused.

[–] unkpnay1 16 years ago

Shellback didn't want to actually catch Henry (the fish). It was just a game to him. In the deleted scenes, the boy calls him "A fisherman who doesn't want to catch fish." It's implied that Shellback's just odd that way.

At the very end? It's clearly mentioned that Maps died, and that's why the three of them are meeting-to spread Maps' ashes on the beach.

[–] CaptainOats93 16 years ago

It actually said that? Sorry, I was so disinterested that I got up at the end of the movie to get a snack and didn't exactly catch that.

[–] SoleilAnime 16 years ago

Ha, ha, ha oops. It IS frustrating to lose the thread of a movie because the director doesn't know how to tell a story. Unfortunately, good movie or bad, there's always those 'blink or you'll miss it' moments. I'm sure Misty was supposed to be imprinted on our hearts as the most sensitive and spiritual of the boys, but ya, he was a bit annoying.

[–] albertfoster 15 years ago

by - unkpnay1
"Shellback didn't want to actually catch Henry (the fish). It was just a game to him.

No it is the glory of the hunt. Reaching for the unattainable. It is the driving force of life.
The grass is greener on the other side of the fence. Until you get there.
It is the message of this whole movie.

Shellback was an old fisherman who was after the ultimate catch.
He saw Henry as his God of the sea.
When Henry was gone his hunt was over.
Now he will have only memories of the hunt.
The selfishness of the young fisherman stole Shellbacks opportunity to reach his goal.
If Shellback had reached his goal the hunt still would have ended his drive to catch the unattainable. But then if you reach the unattainable then it wasn't unattainable at all.

The December Boys were competing for adoption. looking for that greener pasture.

Maps was the older more mature one who saw what they had as family between themselves. He even referred to the December Boys as brothers.

Misty the younger more selfish boy tried to be what the older people wanted.
He even lied to himself about his desires. This was shown in his fantasies of older women like the Nuns doing cartwheels and showing garter belts and black stockings.
He wanted to reach the unattainable and be the one to be adopted.
When he reached his goal he realized what he would be giving up.
He already had his family.
The grass suddenly didn't look so green.

To me this movie is about real life.
The goals we set either for selfish reasons or unselfish ones.
To try to attain things we don't really deserve or to be happy with and relish what we already have.

[–] MSierra103127 16 years ago

Tell you what, mature a little bit and go and view the film again without thinking that Harry Potter is in it. Then maybe you'll be able to understand the obvious themes (e.g., brotherhood; love; devotion; faith) that are illustrated in the film.

[–] CaptainOats93 16 years ago

No, actually, I understand the themes perfectly fine. However, I won't view this film again. It was bad. It was bad and boring and made zero sense. I think I taped over it, anyway, and I would never pay to see it again. The setting was super pretty, if it's any consolation.

[–] whosemarie 15 years ago

I'm only into the first hour of this movie via HBO right now, and right away it resonates with me simply because of the time period and the age of the kids. It's a time when everything is a 'discovery'. It's all an adventure and a mystery. I think that's the draw to it - or at least it's what's kept me here 'cause it's the time when I was that age or close to it. (probably around 17 yrs old in late 60's).

[–] Ilikecomedyhorror 16 years ago

Yea I didnt care for it much either... kind of boring

---
"For each day of war is a failure for man..."

[–] pthmichael 15 years ago

Never Lannd asked.....

' And why were there only three of them frolicking around at the very end? '

After watching the film for a second time.

I noticed....

Right at the end when the now elderly Misty hops out of car, carrying a wooden box filled with Map's ashs. Apparently he must have died while working in Africa.

As Misty implied.

[–] grimmace60 15 years ago

Does every movie have to have a point? People amble through life looking for 'the point' of it and very few find it. Life can be just a series of random events.
I think it is refreshing to find a movie that essentially is just a snapshot of life...

[–] loungelizard5000 15 years ago

Grimmace. I couldn't have said it better myself. One of my all time favorite movies is Barfly. I tried to turn many people on to it. About two got it, and all the others kept saying, what's the point?! But it was basically a week in the life of a bunch of drunks. Maybe no point, but incredible dialouge, funny jokes, and unbelievable performances.

[–] karamelkitten05 15 years ago

I got this movie but I wish I hadn't wasted me time watching it. For all the brilliance Barfly might have ( I haven't seen it) I'm sure December Boys matches it with it's absolute *beep*

[–] andrei1945 15 years ago

The point of this movie was to make ppl forget about The Leaving of Liverpool.

[–] jandibow 15 years ago

The reason there were only three boys frolicking on the beach was that the other boy, Misty, was on the porch with his "adoptive parents" watching them. That's when he decided not to be adopted by them because he already was "part of a family."

[–] Nightowlssong 15 years ago

There are so many points to this movie that I won't even begin to try and explain them all to you. Concerning the few things you mentioned:

1. Misty obviously had a very vivid imagination and the nuns doing cart-wheels was just a glimpse into his world and how his mind worked. That was supposed to help you understand the character better and that is just one random scene and one interpretation, I am sure there are more. As far as him being annoying; well, he was supposed to be. He was annoying to the other boys because he was kissing butt to get chosen so at least you picked up on that point. LOL But the boys realized Misty was a special person which is why after he got what he wanted he CHOSE to stay with the boys. He realized they had a special relationship and that they loved each other. They all realized that fact in the end.

2. The old man actually admired the fish for managing to survive and never get caught. Because "Henry" was out of the ordinary and smarter than all of the other fish. The old man wanted him to survive and to beat all the odds. Which is why the old man was sad that someone actually got the better of him.

3. Your other point was already addressed in the other replies. ONE OF THEM WAS DEAD! It is tough to frolic on a beach when you are dead! LOL Your statement makes it apparent that you were not paying attention in the first place.

Bottom line. Keep your day job and don't apply to be a movie critic. By the way, is your name Jack Handey? :-)

[–] supernaturalfan5 15 years ago

I just saw the film, me and my sister rented it and:

I TOTALLY agree with you.

The movie had no point, and yes! There were some scenes that you where just like WTF? I understood perfectly fine where they wanted to take the film and what they wanted to do with it but it just came out wrong. So wrong.

I know that Misty was suppose to be different from the rest, he was suppose to be this amazing boy who has a very vivid imagination by the way (the nuns doing cart wheels. LOL) BUT I found him so annoying as well, such a kiss ass. I know he was trying to be a good boy and all that *beep* so that he could be adopted but just NO. I thought he was annoying.

Daniel Radcliffe's performance was good. I liked his character, Maps. It was the one I felt bad for. He was so angry at Lucy for leaving without even saying a word.

[–] jinjimmynie 15 years ago

I still don't get why the nuns were doing cartwheels though.