Danny Deckchair

Starring: Rhys Ifans, Miranda Otto, and Justine Clarke
Directed/written by: Jeff Balsmeyer

Bluntly speaking? Danny Deckchair is a sweet - almost fairytaleish - yarn of finding one's self done in that singular Aussie style we just don't get enough of over Stateside. Unapologetic romance spun by some major talents make this little film unforgettable.

Story goes…Danny (Rhys Ifans) is a bit of a square peg in a round part of town. His clinging girl pal Trudy (Justine Clark) has a sub-grain of salt respect for him and he's stifled in every direction.

There's gotta be more mate.

Still, Danny's a bit of a Walter Mitty type. Though he manifests his daydreams into tangible ramshackle objects and adventures. He likes to create and such. At a barby (translation: BBQ) he has a few brews, and edged on by his playmates, on a kind of lark, he ties oodles of balloons to his deckchair and floats away.

He's free. And missing.

The Sydney townsfolk are lifted by his disappearance. Sure, they're concerned he's a goner but most feel the risk to set yourself free is worth it. His media lovin' girlfriend relishes the warm glow of her 15 minutes on the telly. Danny's finally doing something with himself…by being missing.

Hmm.

Meanwhile, daydreamin' Danny lands hundreds of miles away in a small rural town (safely) bustling with real folks who embrace him as the handsome stranger amongst them. It's close enough to be home-like and far enough to well…

He'll learn "to find one's self you must lose one's self - thus loss itself is gain" (as one Maher Baba once said). The town doesn't think he's a nothing - in fact he twines into them completely. He discovers what respect feels like and starts to blossom.

He also finds a bit of happiness in a dress. Glenda (Miranda Otto), the woman who found him shall we say, turns out to be a kindred soul.
She herself considered something of a local spinsterish - erroneously - will be transformed by Danny's new found joy. It helps that Glenda too believes life's a bowl of sweet Kiwi, pitch a tent and frolick among the wild fern. She had forgotten that's all.

The two romance a bit towards the plot.

What makes this film so wonderful? Its anti-grandness. It's simply a warm tale about following one's heart. Life's short get out there and discover what you are meant to do, be, see and so on.

And of course the remarkable Rhys Ifans, who steals any film he shows in anyway, is cast here as Danny, our lead. He's got that special combo of charm and suave-ness that embraces the screen. Rhys is a tall serving of Welsh rarebit mantort with a heaping helping of crème sauce, which cloys the edge of appetite and imagination…

This is a romantic film - no cynics need apply.

Snack recommendation: Pancake breakfast