Storm Boy is a 2019 Australian drama family film based on the 1964 novella by Colin Thiele of the same name.[1] The adaptation was directed by Shawn Seet and stars Geoffrey Rush and Jai Courtney.[2] Thiele's novel was previously adapted in 1976.
| Storm Boy | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical film poster | |
| Directed by | Shawn Seet[1] |
| Written by | Justin Monjo[2] |
| Based on | Storm Boy by Colin Thiele |
| Produced by | |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Bruce Young |
| Edited by | Denise Haratzis |
| Music by | Alan John |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | Sony Pictures Releasing |
Release date |
|
Running time | 99 minutes |
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $4.2 million [4] |
Plot edit
Based on the book, Storm Boy follows a young boy growing up on a largely uninhabited coastline of Southern Australia. He rescues three orphan pelicans and forms a close bond with them.
Cast edit
- Geoffrey Rush as Michael "Storm Boy" Kingley
- Edward Boehm as Young Storm Boy
- Jai Courtney as Tom "Hideaway Tom"
- Finn Little as Storm Boy
- Trevor Jamieson as Bill "Fingerbone Bill"
- Morgan Davies[a] as Madeline
- Erik Thomson as Malcom Downer
- David Gulpilil as The Father of Fingerbone Bill
- Simone Annan as Murujuga Lawyer
- Thibul Nettle as Police Officer (as Stinga-T)
- Luca Asta Sardelis as Smirking Schoolgirl #1
- Georgina Giessauf as Smirking Schoolgirl #2
- Amélie Rickman as Smirking Schoolgirl #3
- David John Clark as Police Senior Constable
- Chantal Contouri as Julie Sims
- Martha Lott as Pearl
- Nick Launchbury as Reporter #1
- Emma Bargery as Reporter #2
- Miraede Bhatia-Williams as Mildew
- Brendan Cooney as Police Officer
- Caroline Mignone as Angela
- Anna Bampton as Jenny
- Rory Walker as Murray
- Lucy Cowan as Belle
- Niraj Pandya as Office Receptionist
- Brendan Rock as Hunter #1
- James Smith as Hunter #2
- Bradley Trent Williams as Jasper Davies
- Tim Whibley as Office Worker
- Paul Blackwell as Cal Evans
- Michelle Nightingale as Mrs. Marks
- Natasha Wanganeen as Susan Franklin
Production edit
Storm Boy, an Ambience Entertainment production, was shot along the Coorong and in Adelaide, South Australia in July–August 2017.[5] The Hudson Hornet used in the filming was supplied by a local South Australian car collector. [citation needed]
Release edit
The film opened in theatres in Australia and New Zealand on 17 January 2019, in Poland on 19 January 2019 and in the United States on 5 April 2019.
Box office edit
The film was released in 320 theatres in Australia on 17 January 2019 but it grossed only $874,000 (USD) on its opening weekend. By the end of its theatrical run in Australia, it had earned a total of $3.5 million. The film also grossed just over $600,000 in Poland and New Zealand when it was released over 17–19 January 2019. The film was released in the United States & Territories on 5 April 2019 but only earned $71,000.[6] The total box-office for Storm Boy was $4.2 million.[4]
Critical response edit
On Rotten Tomatoes the film has an approval rating of 68% based on 41 reviews, with an average rating of 6.2/10. The site's critics consensus reads, "Storm Boy can't quite live up to the original, but this retelling of a beloved story retains enough of its classic source material's heart to remain worth a watch."[7] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 67 out of 100 based on 7 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[8]
Awards edit
| Award | Category | Subject | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Prize | Best Film | Shawn Seet | Nominated |
| FCCA Awards | Best Original Score | Alan John | Nominated |
| SPA Award | Best Feature Film Production | Ambience Entertainment | Nominated |
| Children's Jury Main Prize | Best Children's Performance | Finn Little | Won |
Notes edit
References edit
- ^ a b c Dayman, Isabelle. (26 July 2016). "Storm Boy remake with actor Geoffrey Rush about to start filming in SA Coorong", ABC News, Australia. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
- ^ a b "Australian actors Geoffrey Rush, Jai Courtney to star in Storm Boy", (12 May 2017), News.com.au, Australia. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
- ^ Debelle, Penny. (22 November 2016). "Exclusive: Producers of the remake of iconic Australian movie Storm Boy look set to return to the Coorong", Adelaide Now, Australia. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
- ^ a b "Storm Boy (2019)". The Numbers. Retrieved 7 April 2019.
- ^ "Storm Boy stars in Adelaide to begin shooting new version of beloved Coorong-set film". Retrieved 26 July 2017.
- ^ "Storm Boy (2019) - Financial Information". The Numbers. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
- ^ "Storm Boy (2019)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
- ^ "Storm Boy Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
External links edit
