Movies
About A Boy / Universal Studios
Directors: Chris Weitz, Paul Weitz
Screenwriters: Peter Hedges
Starring: Hugh Grant, Nicholas Hoult, Toni Collette, Rachel Weisz
Will Freeman (Grant) is a 38-year-old man who has never really had to grow up. He lives off the royalties of an embarrassing novelty record written by his father and spends his life buying things, having intentionally short-lived romances and being generally self-centred. When he decides that desperate single mothers are the way forward for his sex life his life becomes intertwined with Marcus (Hoult), a 12-year-old boy who finally forces an unwilling Will to grow up.
Based upon Nick Hornby's late coming of age novel, the story adapts very well to screen, although fans of the author will recognise that the plot has changed somewhat in the transition. Grunge-loving Ellie (Nat Gastiain Tena) plays a significantly smaller role than in the novel, whilst a climactic 'Kidz Rock' concert is fabricated. However, even though the events are changed for the movie, they are done so excellently, taking into account what just couldn't have worked as well on screen and replacing it with situations and humour of such a Hornby vein that it's barely noticeable. Particularly suited to screen is the more often than not hilarious narration of Will's thoughts, perhaps working even better in film than on paper.
Hugh Grant is truly at his best in this movie. Gone is the inarticulate unlucky-in-love fop character for which he has become type-cast. Here his role is more similar to that in Bridget Jones' Diary, excellently portraying a decreasingly self-centred git with impressive character progression. Although other big names such as George Clooney and Ewan McGregor were offered the part, it really is hard to imagine anyone else doing the job as well. Also solid is Nicholas Hoult as young outcast Marcus, his character slightly different from that in the book, whilst Toni Collette is as impressive as ever as his emotionally volatile mother.
About A Boy is at the same time hilarious and emotionally affecting and it gets away with being heartwarming without going down the road which it could so easily have done - an over-soppy British rom-com with all fluff and no grit. Thankfully, this film is grounded and has a firm sense of reality and is consequently more affecting for it.
About A Boy airs at 21:00 on ITV1 this Wednesday (March 8).
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I have always been a fan of british comedy and this film is no exception. Such a refreshing take on a poignant story makes this film worth watching time and again.
This is the only film where I have ever fancied Hugh Grant. Very emotional but also hilarious in parts.
I totally agree! Although it wasn't a laugh-a-minute, it compensated by being a truly heart-warming film and kudos to it for not overdoing the schmalz!It's inspired me to go and read the book, which is also brilliant; somewhat less funny but more emotional.
Katherine, London, on March 8th, 2006
This film is great!
This film is great!
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It's a good film, and is well acted in all parts. However, it seems to be shown too often as this is the third time I have watched this on ITV1.