About a Boy: The Shooting Script (Newmarket Shooting Script) [Paperback]

Nick Hornby (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2002 | Series: Newmarket Shooting Script

New in the acclaimed series—the new film starring Hugh Grant and Toni Collette, adapted from the acclaimed novel by Nick Hornby (High Fidelity). Coming from Universal Pictures in April 2002, produced by Tribeca Productions and Working Title Films. Based on Nick Hornby's popular novel, About A Boy is a comedy-drama starring Hugh Grant as Will, a rich, child-free and irresponsible Londoner in his thirties who, in search of available women, invents an imaginary son and starts attending single parent meetings. As a result of one of his liaisons, he meets Marcus, an odd 12-year-old boy with problems at school. Gradually, Will and Marcus become friends, and as Will teaches Marcus how to be a cool kid, Marcus helps Will to finally grow up. The cast also includes Toni Collette (Sixth Sense, Shaft), Rachel Weisz (The Mummy Returns, Sunshine), and Nicholas Hoult. 20 b/w photos.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Peter Hedges wrote the screenplays of What's Eating Gilbert Grape and A Map of the World. Chris and Paul Weitz previously directed Down to Earth. Paul directed American Pie.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Newmarket Press (April 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557045275
• ISBN-13: 978-1557045270
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,761,442 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars More Working Title feel good, November 16, 2008

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Michael Brindley (Melbourne, Australia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: About a Boy: The Shooting Script (Newmarket Shooting Script) (Paperback)

Much of the charm of this movie rests with the charm of the two leads, but it's interesting to see how a US writer/director duo, Chris and Paul Weitz, tackle a very English project, adapting a very English novel, especially when their previous movie is so different to this one. How does it look on paper? The script is a gloriously fluid read, keeping two Points of View nicely in balance and making very clever use of Voice Over from two rather unreliable narrators - and in the present tense. In their introduction, the writers talk about changing the ending (of the book) and this is perhaps its weakness. The school concert is a bit creaky contrivance and goes on too long and the formation of a new 'family' at the close stretches credibility, but up to that point, this script is insightful, affectionate and a lot of fun.