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Noah Taylor, Leone Carmen, Ben Mendelsohn, Graeme Blundell, Lynette Curran ... see more see more... , Bruce Spence , Malcolm Robertson , Judi Farr , Tim Robertson , Harold Hopkins , Nick Tate , Vincent Ball , Kelly Dingwall , Colleen Clifford , Mary Regan , Matthew Ross , Allan Penney , Dorothy St. Heaps , Loene Carmen

The life of a teen in an isolated small town is the subject of Australian writer/director John Duigan's film, set in 1962 in New South Wales. Duigan's coming-of-age story has many familiar elements --... read more read more... Danny Embling (Noah Taylor) discovers his sexual attraction to a childhood playmate (Leone Carmen as Freya), he undergoes the taunts of bullies at his school, rages against the narrow-minded views of his parents and many of the townspeople, and comes under the influence of a sympathetic adult (Bruce Spence as Jonah, a would-be writer who lives in an abandoned railroad car). The twist is that Danny's rival for Freya's affections, Trevor (Ben Mendelsohn), is a Jewish jock who becomes Danny's friend by standing up to the bullies and treating Freya with more respect than the other boys do. Duigan, who had been making films in Australia since the mid-'70s, broke through to U.S. audiences with this film and its sequel, Flirting, in which Noah Taylor reprises the lead role. ~ Tom Wiener, Rovi

Flixster Users

84% liked it

633 ratings

Critics

93% liked it

15 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 43 min.

Directed by: John Duigan

Release Date: October 17, 1987

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DVD Release Date: February 8, 2000

Stats: 63 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (63)

  • divinetrash
    May 2, 2010
    divinetrash
    I love coming-of-age and both Noah Taylor and Loene Carmen's longing for people they can never truly have is something we can all identify with and feel their pain.
  • ileo
    January 13, 2008
    ileo
    A good movie.

View All The Year My Voice Broke Reviews

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff
December 18, 2007
Variety Staff, Variety

The characters are memorable ones, and beautifully played by the three young newcomers, with Noah Taylor especially effective as the lovesick Danny. Full Review

Caryn James
August 30, 2004
Caryn James, New York Times

It is so pleasant and unpretentious that we can almost forget the total lack of surprise in this deftly acted Australian film. Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum
January 1, 2000
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

Although most of this is rather familiar stuff...the treatment is sufficiently sincere and nuanced to give it a touch of poignancy. Full Review

Hal Hinson
January 1, 2000
Hal Hinson, Washington Post

This isn't an adolescent wish-fulfillment fantasy, so the impossible never happens, and it's a credit to the movie that it doesn't. Full Review

Andrew L. Urban
December 12, 2008
Andrew L. Urban, Urban Cinefile

This funny, touching, truthful gem of a film is one of the ongoing pleasures of Australian cinema, and is as fresh and compelling on its 21st anniversary as it was on its acclaimed release Full Review

December 18, 2007
TV Guide's Movie Guide

Though it covers familiar territory, this well-acted, skillfully photographed film is a gentle examination of the rites of passage. Full Review

June 24, 2006
Time Out

A film to restore one's faith in films about the transition from adolescence to adulthood. Full Review

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
July 9, 2003
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

Wonderful, perceptive, and original Australian film about the magic and anguish of adolescence. Full Review

May 24, 2003
Film4

Duigan's gift for characterization and feel for period give the film its haunting and evocative mood, and hint at something altogether darker than the average teen flick. Full Review

Shannon J. Harvey
February 11, 2003
Shannon J. Harvey, Sunday Times (Australia)

Bittersweet Australian coming-of-age tale

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