“Boy Swallows Universe” on Netflix is based on Trent Dalton‘s best-selling book, the series follows the life of Brisbane 12-year-old Eli Bell in the 1980s. Growing up with a heroin-dealing stepfather, a mute brother, a drug-addicted mother, and a criminal father figure was hard for Eli. His story is captivating because it shows how innocent people can be in the middle of adult chaos. As the show presents us with Robert, played by Simon Baker, we can’t help but wonder if this complicated character is based on a real person. tvacute delves into the details.
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Is Eli’s father Robert Based on a Real Person?
Boy Swallows Universe on Netflix is based on the semi-autobiographical novel of the same name by Trent Dalton. The character of Robert is a lot like Dalton’s own father figure, a mysterious man who was a part of the author’s childhood. Dalton’s tall, drunker dad, and Arthur “Slim” Halliday, a family friend who was known for being dangerous, both left lasting impressions on young Dalton.
Some years ago, Dalton’s father, Noel, died. His father, Noel, lives in a Brisbane Housing Commission house surrounded by towers of books. He loves books and reading. Noel read a lot. He loved books so much that Dalton remembers saying, “If you weren’t into books in my house, you might as well leave home. There were books everywhere.”
On the other hand, Noel’s problems were not just in books. Dalton thinks about his father’s problems and realizes that Noel loved Trent’s mother even though he had his problems. When Dalton thinks about his father, he feels both respect and compassion for him.
In the show,
Simon Baker plays Robert, Eli’s father, and represents Trent Dalton’s memories. Baker’s skillful portrayal of a character based on real events brings to life a person who, like Dalton’s father, struggles with the darkness of addiction and the never-ending search for a new start.
Simon Baker, who is known for giving complex performances, plays a character who represents the fight of “bluffing through life with a bad hand.” When Baker plays a character who is hooked on drugs, his eyes get heavy and red. These eyes show how much the man wants to start over even though he thinks it might be too late.
Baker’s performance shows how committed the show is to being true to life, catching the heartbreaking realism of its difficulties. The actor brings to life a character whose memories are similar to Trent Dalton’s. This gives the show more depth and meaning.
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