thomas ( rhys wakefield ) have just start at a new high school . his father serf in the armed force and the family have to relocate regularly . his brother charlie ( luke ford ) have severe autism and attention deficit disorder . he not able to speak and because he the size of an adult and care for him be not easy . at the start of the film we see him grunt with delight a he trample a newly buy carton of egg into the kitchen floor . while thomas mother ( toni collette ) have accept her son condition and thomas have not . he want to keep his brother a secret from his new schoolmate but when one student ( gemma ward ) learn of his sibling and she not put off . it be a number of year since i have connect with an australian film to the extent that i do with the black balloon . from the interesting title sequence at the start and be draw into the challenge of life with a family member suffer a developmental disability . while and i suppose and an outsider could never fully appreciate just how demand such a life could be and the film give u a very good idea . one of the film many accomplishment be it successful blend of drama and comedy . it could quite easily have be a depressing affair but many of the brother outrageous act prove most amusing . on other occasion and theyre heartbreaking . equally fine be the performance by luke ford . play a handicapped character be a challenge for any actor and but ford be totally convincing a charlie . never do we consider he an actor play a role . toni collette be first rate a the ever love mother . she heavily pregnant and when complication arise from her pregnancy and we can not help but wonder if the third child will be like thomas or charlie . the most likable of the character be thomas classmate and later girlfriend and jackie and play by gemma ward . her acceptance of charlie and her solid support for thomas make her most appeal . it interest to note that while thomas see charlie a a burden and his formal introduction to jackie and the development of their relationship have much to do with his brother . the black balloon be the work of first time director elissa down and who study film making in perth . she have do a sterling job . have grow up with two autistic brother and it must be a profoundly personal work . the screenplay and by down and jimmy the exploder and be honest and move and the photography by denson baker be fine . i particularly appreciate his low angle wide shot . the black balloon win the crystal bear at this year berlin film festival . it an important film and deserve to be see . the australian film industry and sadly and do not have a good reputation and at home or overseas . but if we make film like this one and that sure to change .