The Black Balloon (film)

The Black Balloon is a 2008 Australian comedy-drama film starring Toni Collette, Rhys Wakefield, Luke Ford, Erik Thomson, Gemma Ward as well as a cast of newcomers. It is directed by first-time feature film director, Elissa Down.

Thomas

 * He's not a spastic, he's autistic.
 * Does Russell like monkeys? Charlie likes monkeys. Thomas likes monkeys.
 * Does Russell like dancing? Charlie likes dancing. Thomas likes dancing.
 * You remember when we were little? We used to have baths with dad, and we'd rub soap into his legs and they were so hairy they'd always go white? Then he'd fart and we'd start clapping and you'd go, 'poo-poo noises', 'poo-poo noises'.
 * I've hated being your brother. Every night I used to close my eyes and wish that when I woke up you'd be normal.
 * But you won't.
 * You just pissed on my leg, didn't you?

Charlie

 * Duh.

Maggie

 * Your brother will never be able to do the things you can Thomas, He will live with us for the rest of his life.


 * Cheeky Monkey.
 * Charlie, I’m gonna take away a star.
 * No, Bad, Charlie! Running away is bad! and how many time have I told you? You don’t go into other peoples' houses! [grabs a star] Done!

Simon

 * All I know is he's my own, and you're weak as piss if you don't look after your own.

Jackie Masters

 * [in her bathroom and sees Charlie and Thomas inside the houses and screaming] Dad, what’s going on?!
 * Close your eyes, what do you see?

Russell

 * Thomas doesn't like buses! Thomas doesn't like buses!
 * No. Russell doesn't like monkeys. Russell doesn't like monkeys. Russell doesn't like Charlie.
 * Bad, Charlie! Bad!

Dialogue

 * Boy: Why's your brother a spastic?
 * Thomas Mollison: He's not a spastic. He's autistic.
 * Boy: Same diff.
 * Thomas Mollison: No, not really.
 * Boy: He doesn't talk and shit.
 * Thomas Mollison: Yes, he doesn't talk.
 * Boy: Then why does he make all that fuckin' noise?
 * Maggie Mollison: Hello, boys. Where do you live?


 * Maggie Mollison: Simon the underwear goes on the inside.
 * Simon Mollison: Maggie please you don't have to worry about it.
 * Maggie Mollison: It's very embarrassing.


 * Russell: [sitting next to Thomas, who does not have autism but has been forced to get a ride to his school by riding in the special-education school bus with his brother Charlie who has autism; Russell has autism and is Charlie's friend] Are you riding the bus? Are you coming to our school?
 * Thomas Mollison: No, no!
 * Russell: Oh, yes you are! Thomas is coming to our school! Thomas is riding the bus with Charlie! Thomas is riding the bus with Russell! Do you like buses, Thomas? Do you like buses?
 * Thomas Mollison: [says nothing, but scowls and frowns with discomfort]
 * Russell: [loudly, with the semi-musical inflection of reciting a nursery rhyme] Thomas doesn't like buses! Thomas doesn't like buses!


 * Thomas Mollison: Dad, do you ever wish Charlie was normal?
 * Simon Mollison: All I know is he's my own, and you're weak as piss if you don't look after your own.


 * Jackie Masters: Close your eyes, what do you see?
 * Thomas Mollison: Black.
 * Jackie Masters: Look harder.


 * Russell: No. Russell doesn't like monkeys.
 * Russell's Mum: Oh...
 * Russell: Russell doesn't like monkeys.
 * Russell's Mum: You want...
 * Russell: Russell doesn't like Charlie.[Charlie spits him again screaming wails Russell’s dad holds him to clam down]
 * Simon Mollison: Charlie, that’s enough! Settle down, all right? Settle down. Charlie, just...
 * Russell: Bad, Charlie! Bad!
 * Russell's Mum: Shh! Sweetie, Sweetie, It's OK. It's OK. You don't have to...
 * Russell: Bad, Charlie! Bad!
 * Teacher: Charlie, you'll just have to go on stage by yourself.
 * Charlie Mollison: No.
 * Teacher: No, you can do it. You're a big boy. Come on, Charlie.
 * Charlie Mollison: No, no.
 * Teacher: Come on. Be a good boy. Come on. On stage.

Cast

 * Rhys Wakefield as Thomas Mollison
 * Luke Ford as Charlie Mollison
 * Toni Collette as Maggie Mollison
 * Erik Thomson as Simon Mollison
 * Gemma Ward as Jackie Masters
 * Lloyd Allison-Young as James
 * Nathin Butler as Chris
 * Lisa Kowalski as Sally
 * Firass Dirani as Russell
 * Sarah Woods as Janet
 * Kieran Smith as Elephant No. 2
 * Ryan Clark as Dean
 * Rebecca Massey as Miss Babb
 * Henry Nixon as Trevor