Customer Reviews

About a Boy

5 star:		(159)
4 star:		(90)
3 star:		(21)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

This movie is set in contemporary London and its story revolves around the life of playboy Will Freeman (Hugh Grant). Freeman is an independent man who enjoys a leisurely life carved into careful sections. His friends find him desperately lonely and unfulfilled, a notion he entirely disregards. Whilst trying to find creative new ways to meet single women for casual relationships, he meets a boy named Marcus (Nicholas Hoult). Marcus is the misfit at his school, overburdened by his freethinking and chronically depressed mother, Fiona (Toni Collette). Freeman and Marcus forge an unlikely but edifying bond that transposes their generation gap and differences. Culminating in a hilarious school music performance, the two discover new ways to navigate a changing world and terms in which to redefine the meaning of family.

Saturated by the amazing music of Badly Drawn Boy, this is an enduring and enjoyable comedy. Hugh Grant's character of the roguish unlikely hero seems ideally suited to him. Collette's performance as a seeming shallow liberal is wonderfully dynamic, bringing depth and heart to the character. The film tackles many social issues, especially problems of male (father-son) relations, from a compelling point of view. It's a picture of modern England that burrows into the largely untapped life of this fascinating country. The horribly undeveloped and unrealistic character of the rebellious teenage girl with whom Marcus becomes smitten is the only place where this film really lacks. Otherwise it is a pleasure to watch.

Heartwarming studio chickflick about Hugh Grant bonding with a little boy...this description didn't send me rushing to the cinema, despite the Nick Hornsby brand. But shockingly, About a Boy isn't a standard Hollywood prefab romcom or sentimental twaddle -- it's an actual film, sharply written, evocatively directed, beautifully acted.

The caustic British wit immediately sets the film apart from its studio comedy brethren -- its actually, frequently funny. The characters feel real, lived in. The superb dual voiceover is potent rebuke to those still peddling the convential wisdom that vo's are "uncinematic" (if this includes you you're immediately assigned "Election" and "Adaptation"), working comfortably inside our protagonists' heads without any dreaded 'literary' staining, bringing their vibrant inner lives to comic life.

So instead of the false life lessons and maudlin sentimentality films of this sort so often trade in, we get a moving, witty story about...okay, yeah...Hugh Grant bonding with a little boy. But that's no reason not to rent it.

The widescreen picture is gorgeous (another nice departure from drearily filmed studio comedies) and the disc comes with numerous, lengthy deleted scenes that are virtually all terrific, and well worth viewing.

It frightened me, at first, to hear that directors Chris and Paul Weitz, the guys who made "American Pie," were behind the film adaptation of Nick Hornby's novel. Though Hugh Grant was born to play the self-centered, shallow, immature man urged to grow through his relationship with a young boy in need, I forgot about the occasional moments of warmth in "American Pie" and doubted the Weitzes were capable of conveying the heart and seriousness necessary to make this film. I was wrong.

Matching moments of true horror involving attempted suicide at the film's beginning with Grant's continuing snarky, sarcastic voiceover showed that the directors had found the precise balance necessary to make the film work. It's a heartwarming, occasionally edgy film about the human need for others and about how a family - whether one we're born into or one that we create for ourselves - can help us grow.

Nicholas Hoult, as Marcus, gives a great performance, and Toni Collette, as his hippie, depressive mother, is Oscar-caliber, but the film belongs to Grant. It's the best work he's ever done.

If you liked the movie "Bridget Jones's Diary"; if you liked the Nick Hornby novel on which this movie is based; or if you liked Hornby's novel "High Fidelity" but were disappointed by the lame Americanized film, this movie is for you. The adaptation is about as good as one can hope for, the script (like the novel) is hilarious, and the performances are great. Hugh Grant as Will, in particular, is the most likeable cad I've ever seen on film, Toni Collette is quite believable, and the boy who plays Marcus is excellent and endearing (and I usually hate kids in movies, so that's saying something!). My only complaint is that Rachel, the woman Will eventually falls for, is completely blah. If she's supposed to be so fabulous, so much more special than anyone Will has dated before, why didn't the filmmakers give her an actual personality? Instead she just coasts by on her looks, which happens often enough with women in movies as it is. Still, this is a great movie. I recommend it to everyone with a sense of humor.

"About a Boy" is misnamed: the subject should be plural. But being a magnanimous reviewer, I'm willing to overlook this one minor flaw in what is an otherwise perfect little parfait of a comedy.

Hugh Grant, here, is not in the same ballpark as his usual romantic comedy work. But he is in the same league. His Will Freeman (talk about your loaded names!), unlike the unlucky blokes from "Four Weddings" and "Notting Hill", thinks he'll be unhappier without romantic, or other, attachments. He's much like the charming cad of "Bridget Jones's Diary", only Will is basically a good guy (with certain character flaws, true; a race to the hospital leaves him noting that it was fun driving fast behind the ambulance!). Blessed with a life of luxury after his pop long ago wrote a successful pop ditty, Will is content to live his life out doing nothing. He's staunch in his belief of a personal philosophy that contradicts John Donne (or was it Jon Bon Jovi?): "In this day and age, a man *can* be an island". So Will surrounds himself with technology, trendy clothes, and piles and piles of CDs. Replacing what? True human relationships.

Sadly for him, as is usually the case with best-laid plans, that is not to be case. A chance encounter (that follows a ridiculous dating scheme) finds Will ensnared in the web of young Marcus. Marcus, a terminally uncool kid with a depressive hippie mother, is ably played by Nicholas Hoult. The chemistry between Grant and Hoult is the key to the film. If not for their casual ease, their contentiousness, and their caring for one another, the audience wouldn't buy Will's eventual redemption.

You'd think a movie such as this would have been written by frequent Grant scribe Richard Curtis. But you'd be wrong. Would you believe me if I told you that that guys who 'authored' "American Pie" and its sequel have now made Nick Hornby books 2-for-2 in successful transfers to the big screen? The Weitz boys, Chris and Paul, bring previously unseen wit and humanity to the project, a trait I'd deemed them incapable of after their tour through teen-sex rompery. They capture the British humour quite effectively, but also do a wonderful job underplaying the film's heavier scenes. One moment in particular, that could have become quite maudlin and melodramatic in the hands of less sure directors, gives the audience only as much information as they need without dwelling too long on the ugliness. Any more and the comic tone of the film would be ruined. As it is the scene injects just enough melancholy to keep things honest.

They also utilize voice-over narration quite well. A trick usually used to give one character opportunity to comment on the action, "About a Boy" uses two separate narrators. Not only does Will get to make snide comments at the other characters' expenses while expounding on his worldview, but Marcus gets a chance too. This part of the movie was surprisingly effective in that it allowed the audience to see how the unheard thoughts of Will and Marcus were slowly converging as the two became friends.

The cast, loaded with fine actors in secondary roles, is effective, if a little overshadowed. Hoult, all of 12-years old, nearly becomes saccharine and precocious in moments, but has enough sense to pull back before going over the edge. His chemistry with Grant is delightful, and his worry for the sake of his mom is intense but never over the top. Toni Collette, as said mom, could have been overbearing (her Fiona is asked to sob uncontrollably at times), but she injects just the right amount of humour (along with the sadness) to make the character genuine. Rachel Weisz, in a smaller role than I'd expected, is desirable enough to make the audience believe that this is the woman Will will recant his bachelor beliefs.

But above all this fine work is Grant, who not only delivers a hilariously amusing performance, but also manages a more complex character than anything I've seen him do before. If Will were just a poseur, hanging on to a clever idea for the sake of coolness, than watching him tip-toe through his new relationships would have not the intrigue that it does. Grant carries the film, from its opening monologue, to his 'rousing' rendition of Roberta Flack's 'Killing Me Softly' that caps the denouement. It's some of his best, and most mature, work to date.

In the end, "About a Boy" is one of those romantic comedies that needs not follow the rules of the genre, and becomes better for it. It's not about the coupling of man and woman, but the need for a system of relationships. One that you (or I, or Will, or Marcus) can care for, and watch grow, and shelter you in your times of need. A fine, funny film.

This is the third (not the second) adaptation of bestselling novelist Nick Hornby, after "Fever Pitch" starring Colin Firth, and "High Fidelity" starring John Cusack. As his previous films all are, "About a Boy" is, very naturally, about a boy, or some thrity-something males with boy's heart. This time you will follow a life of Will, 38 years old, who lives a comfortable life in London, with the income from the copyright of a corny Christmas song his dad wrote years ago, spending every day watching TV, or sometimes, dating with girls without constant relations. In a word, a slacker. And he is played by perfectly cast (no sarcasm) Hugh Grant.

Before you say "again!" ... yes, you are right, he was such a git in "Bridget Jones' Diary" ... let me add somthing more. There's another "boy" who steps into his comfy life, and that's Marcus, 12 years old, whose unlucky fate is sealed in a new school when his mother Toni Collette (again, simply great!) called him "I love you." Because of his ex-hippie mom who is very tender, but can easily raise hell when she is in a bad mood, Marcus seeks for a haven where he and his mom can find a help. And here's Will, plenty of time, and money too.

So the very unlikely connection is established when Marcus accidentally killed a duck in a park by a loaf of bread (seriously), and his mom is brought to ER in a hospital. Inspite of constant rejection on the side of Will, who considers himself as an human island, their friendship as temporary boy-and-father status slowly starts to develop.

First, remember this. You will find Hugh Grant's "Will" unlikeable fellow at first, who chases only single mothers for his date (see the reason in film). At least, he is honest, and don't hide that fact. Charmingly self-centered Will, however, will be very attractive after Marcus's character comes to him. So after the opening credit, you have to wait a while.

Second, though this has a side of romantic comedy (particularly after Rachael Weisz appears), you soon realize that "About a Boy" is basically the changing friendship between these "boys." Hugh Grant delivers a nice performance as a helplessly self-assured guy after his "Daniel Clever" alongside with Bridget Jones, but it is the talented newcomer Nicholas Hoult who should be called the real star of the film. He is natural, likeable, and most of all, believable. Don't be put off just because this is not about girls.

Directors Paul and Chris Weitz Bros. are famous for "American Pie," but there's no gross-out elements that stand out in that film (and "American Pie" is in reality confirming a very traditional values between boys and girls). They again succeed in portraying a web of credible relations between characters, punctuated with very funny moments. Though too many narrations (and in Grant's mumbling British accent I find them very hard to understand) are often annoying, and the finale might be a step longer than it should be, the total result is very amusing, and honest as well. I like it.

I was hesitant on seeing this, partly because I had never heard of it or seen reviews of it on TV before, but my mom reluctantly dragged me to the show to see it. Was I surprised.

Hugh Grant plays an amazing character, the male version of Bridget Jones, or so I think. His commentary throughout the movie at random points made me laugh, and I love the "SPAT" meeting. The boy in the film did an amazing job, and the bond that forms between him and Will is great. After I saw the movie, I bought the book, and both were equally impressive. No one could have played this role better than Grant, he's perfect for it. This is probably one of his best films, if not the best.

When it comes out on DVD, I strongly suggest getting it, or rent it first, and I guarentee you will love it. I was hesitant on seeing it, and I was extremely surprised and pleased!!!

The soundtrack is also amazing, done by "Badly Drawn Boy". I suggest getting it if you're a fan of the film, because every song in the film is on the soundtrack.

A beautifully told tale of an immature man and a too-mature boy.
Hugh Grant takes his "shtick", such that it is, and uses it to fill out a fairly detailed character. It's completely three-dimensional. By the end of the movie, you feel you yourself could answer totally unrelated questions about this character...like what would be his political views? Beatles or Presley? Big Mac or McChicken?
The boy never once seems to be acting, and is laugh-out-loud funny. He tosses them off almost like afterthoughts, yet you'll pause-and-"rewind" just to hear his delivery over and over again.
The superlative screenplay, and the surprising zippy direction from the Weitz brothers ("American Pie" to this? Wow.) will have non-cineastes noticing.
One last thing. The soundtrack is sheer perfection, by a guy named Badly Drawn Boy. It's evocative but not intrusive, classic/retro-sounding yet totally modern and contemporary, and hummable beyond belief.
From top to bottom, this is one of the best films of 2002.

This film could have been a real bomb--romantic comedies are often very formulaic and ofter little the audience hasn't seen before. Maybe it's because it's set in London (with a delightful British flavour fully intact)or maybe it's because the child actor, Nicholas Hoult, plays the dorky Marcus perfectly, but this movie is anything but stale.

Trendy Londoner Will Freeman realizes, after being fixed up with a single mom, that they're London's largest untapped resource for men who specialize in his brand of love-'em-and leave-'em charm. He immediately invents a son and heads off to single parents support group, and immediately gets to work wooing the prettiest woman there. This hilarious charade leads Will right into the middle of a troubled young boy's life, and Will's own life, which consists largely of watching television, indulging in expensive salon visits, and reading Esquire and other magazines (no job--he lives on a trust fund), is never the same. Slowly, Will warms to the boy, Marcus, and the two begin a symbiotic emotional growth spurt that is warm and touching, though admittedly not very realistic.

Marcus is relentlessly teased in school. Though sad, it's understandable--he often breaks into spontaneous song (not even cool songs--more like Roberta Flack's "Killing Me Softly") and his mom is a clingy hippie woman who is completely oblivious to the fact that her son is a social outcast--and she's also manically depressed. Will absorbs all this and does his the best he can--as a confirmed bachelor--to help make Marcus cool. Slowly, the two become attached to each other. Of course there's a blowup between them and Will finally sees the light and comes to Marcus's rescue (perhaps the only predictable aspect of the plot), but the relationship is at all times heartwarming and funny.

This movie is very watchable, thick with dry wit, and and a refreshing kind of comedy. I recommend it!

The British really know how to pull-off light romantic comedy. Hugh Grant is most certainly their best current representative in that capacity. This movie works because of him. Of the canon of work he has amassed thus far. Of the sincerity in his performance. It works because of the wonderful child actor who plays opposite him. The female leads lift it up tremendously. The movie has a story which could have been told in standard fashion, or even worse, reduced to sappy extremes. Thanks to the directors, actors, and all involved, it rises to the level of the highly enjoyable.

"About a Boy" stars Grant as Will Freeman, a rather spoiled cad. He doesn't work, thanks to his late father's Christmas song royalties. He likes to date women, but not commit to them. He considers himself "an island" - alone unto himself. Through a mishap which occurs because he wants to try and date single mothers (for selfish reasons, of course), he meets Fiona (the great Toni Collette) and her somewhat odd son Marcus. Marcus quickly takes to Will and strikes up a somewhat uncomfortable friendship. Will is used to his carefree, bachelor life, and doesn't really desire to have Marcus as a friend/younger brother/son, nor does he wish to date his mother.

What transpires in "About a Boy" is the overt change that occurs to Hugh Grant's Will character, and the somewhat subtler changes that happen to Fiona, Marcus, and the other characters involved. Grant is excellent in the role. He brings a thoughtfulness and depth to the blithe Will that not every actor could have pulled-off quite as easily. Relative newcomer Nicholas Hoult is simply great as the oddball Marcus. He makes the character a deep, lovable person, fully interesting for the audience. And when Rachel Weisz appears on the scene as Rachel, Will's love interest, I was convinced that, yes, this character was worth all the attention Will gave her.

The film is directed by Paul & Chris Weitz (who helmed the American Pie movies), and with "About a Boy" they simply shine. The subject matter could have led to an overly sappy interpretation, but here they have managed to strike a fine balance between humor and earnestness.

"About a Boy" is a well-done movie by all involved. I am partial to British productions, and this one satisfied that partiality quite well. It's cute. It's funny. It's serious. And, most importantly, it feels sincere.