Smiley

High-spirited young Peterson has his eyes set on a new bicycle and, with the aid of pal Archer, he undertakes several jobs to earn money. He earns the money only to have it taken away by his low-life father, Lye, who must pay gambling debts. Though the plot is rather sketchy, the characters are realistic and touching. The audience also is given insight into the world Peterson inhabits: the tough backwoods of Australia. Peterson is energetic in his role without being overly cute. He becomes involved in realistic situations with people out to take advantage of a poor kid, such as the drug dealer who tricks him into delivering drugs. Richardson is superb as the countr...