But Trudy, a real estate agent, dreams about an affluent life style
and better things in life. She is trying to sell a house and much more
to dashing TV sports reporter Sandy Upman (Rhys Muldoon) and she forces
Danny to postpone their vacation. Danny is very much disappointed. He
also finds out that there is something going on between Trudy and Upman
and that she is cheating on him. Knowing that Trudy looks down on him
as a loser who cannot support her life style and fulfill her needs,
Danny decides to prove himself to her.
One day at a barbecue party with his friends and neighbors, Danny
and his friends fill some huge balloons with helium and attach a deckchair
to it. Danny sits on the chair and takes off from the ground to the
high skies above Sydney, as everyone watches in astonishment. Danny
passes Sydney and disappears with the passing clouds and thunderstorm.
Danny makes it to the Northern Rivers of Australia and crash-lands in
small town named Clarence, hundreds of miles away from Sydney. He lands
in the backyard of Glenda Lake (Miranda Otto), a lonely traffic cop.
Glenda tells everyone that he is an old friend from the college and
she opens her house as well as her heart to him. Soon, Glenda and Danny
are in love and he is widely accepted by the people of that small town.
Danny establishes himself, becomes a new man and finds a new life.
Meanwhile, in Sydney, his friends as well as many Aussies are abuzz
with the mysterious disappearance of Danny. His old girlfriend Trudy
becomes a celebrity of sports just because of his disappearance. When
they finally catch up with Danny, he has to decide whether he wants
to get back with Trudy or to go with Glenda who made him what he is
today!
Balsmeyer succeeds in narrating a story of a common man, otherwise
listed as a loser becoming a 'somebody'. He brings graciousness to each
and every character. Danny's transformation from a truck driver to populist
hero is portrayed very well. Balsmeyer is trying to make a point
to the world, 'Get out of your daily predictable routine and try something
crazy and see what comes of it'. Ifans has charisma, charm and style
in enacting his role. Otto's role is low key. Even though, the movie
lacks reality, it could be a good entertainer especially for day dreamers.
We rate this movie Average.
