cricketbat
About a Boy finds an excellent balance between being a lighthearted comedy and a thought-provoking drama. It starts out looking like a run-of-the-mill rom-com, but it soon reveals itself as a captivating story with complex characters. Hugh Grant, Nicholas Hoult and Toni Collette work very well together. This is a great movie.
SnoosReviews
It's a rom-com but not like your usual, it's between a man and a boy. Two different lives, two different sets of problems but ultimately one thing in common: depression, loneliness and unhappiness. Hugh Grant plays Will, a thirty-something bachelor who lives off family royalties and lives his life responsibility free.. Always on the lookout for women he makes up that he has a son and joins a single parents group. Here he meets a woman and on their first date to the park she brings along her friends son Marcus (played by Nicholas Hoult). Marcus is a socially awkward, bullied teenager who sees Will as a perfect match for his depressed Mother. The relationship that Will and Marcus develop is something special and takes them on a real coming of age journey together.Nicholas Hoult was only 12 when filming About a Boy and it was his first major role so the pressure was on for him to give a convincing performance when he was the co-lead actor in the movie. He had the support of Hugh Grant so it wasn't on his shoulders to carry the movie on his own but he had a significant amount of screen time and was as an important character as Hugh Grant. His performance was incredibly good, he played the anti-social, shy and nerdy kid extremely well, he didn't just get by, he excelled and really made the character his own. If you've seen Hugh Grant movies before then you will know what to expect from his performance. He complimented Hoult very well, having what seems at first as polar opposite personalities but as the film progresses we see that their differences aren't all that significant. The supporting cast all give solid performances also, adding the depth required convincingly.The story on paper seems a little far-fetched as it doesn't appear to be a story that would likely be presented in real life or even widely accepted in modern society. The message behind the story is one of desperation, loneliness, depression and companionship. It's touching and emotional at times but then hilariously heart-warming at others. It's a very charming movie that will leave you feeling very satisfied as the credits roll.9/10
Ben Kasica
I'm not quite sure why I like this movie as much as I do. It's a film that draws you in with its humorous but sobering, authentic and honest look at life, love, single-hood, relationships, and family. Grant does a brilliant job at making you love, despise and sympathize with him as he attempts to find love by faking to be a father in an effort to win over a girl. He learns more than he signed up for as he learns what life and love is truly about. I think every guy should watch this film as it encapsulates what our approach to life can so often turn into and hopefully will cause many to stop and think, is this really what my POV of life should be. The line "But driving behind the ambulance was absolutely fantastic" tops my favorite lines in a movie. Though not the inspirational nor blockbuster of the year, it's continued to be one of my favorite movies that I can always throw on and enjoy.
adamchazin1996
This movie is about a boy named Marcus who is trying to make his mother happy even if that means he will be made fun of at school. He needs a older figure in his life that will teach him that he needs to live his only life and make himself happy. This is when Will comes into his life, Will needs someone to give his life meaning. Will sort of becomes Marcus's father figure by teaching him about girls and what is "cool". Marcus becomes Wills child of sorts and shows him that hes a grown up. The two become very close over the entire movie and they both end up helping each other with their problems to become better people as a whole.
AD
