This film was an adaptation of a book written by Nick Hornby, entitled About a Boy. Not having read the book, I was initially tempted to read it first before watching it. But in the end, I gave in and watched this anyway. What I found, was a very hilarious movie played by some really good actors and actresses.
Basic Plot ========== The very short summary is about how the lives of different people are tangled up together because of the selfishness of a man in his quest of a love interest and a young boy's hunt for alternative/additional support to his life.
The story requires me to describe Will (Hugh Grant) who lives off the royalties of his father's one song hit names Santa's Super Sleigh that enables him to not have to work for a single day of his life.
The story takes us on a journey of, at least a day in his life. One can either view it as a boring life, doing nothing or a blissful life doing absolutely nothing. He has no worries, except meeting the right woman.
So, one can safely say Will is busy going out.
In his quest, he met up with Marcus(Nicholas Hoult) whose mother Fiona (Toni Collette) was going through depression. The film provides a hilarious view of the relationships surrounding these people, all the ups and downs.
My Views ======== Thoroughly hilarious! I can equate the comedy to that of Coupling but on different subjects. The comedy came in the form of one-liners, as well as crazy behaviour, conversations etc that brought out the quirky English humour made famous by the Monty Python. Will's behaviour brought out the comedy more than the others. The manners in which he lies to achieve his goals is justification enough for him, a completely selfish person!
Other than the humour, the story did deal with certain difficult topics such as depression, single parenting, bullying, as well as how society view a person. Are you a nobody if you don't work? I sincerely hope not.
Characters ========== Hugh Grant excelled himself in his role as Will. The more I watched this film, the more I identified Hugh as Will! Toni Collette was a credible Fiona. I enjoyed watching her in Muriel's Wedding and Emma and now this. Nicholas was a great Marcus, covering himself in glory in his first major role. I hope in real life, his singing is much better!
Cinematography ============== Can't say much, except I enjoyed watching the scenery of Regent's Park as well as Will's modern apartment (my dream single person apartment!). Also thoroughly enjoyable was the morphing of quick scene changes of women being angry at Will.
The directors, Chris and Paul Weitz, had very interesting ways of shooting the scenes. These are the dudes who did American Beauty.
Features in the DVD =================== For once, I have found a DVD that contain a reasonably large amount of additional features other than the movie itself. There was a full length commentary by the directors for the entire movie. It was interesting to hear what they had to say on some of the scenes and what they had to do to achieve them. For example, in one of the scene, I could see the backgarden of Marcus's house and I really believed that. In the commentary, the directors kindly informed us that the outside scenery was actually a painting!
There were short interviews with the main casts, so it was nice to hear what Toni Collette, Hugh Grant and Nicholas Hoult had to say about the movie and about each other.
There was an entire feature on the one-person band call the Badly Drawn Boy. Apparently, many of the songs featured were specially written by this band. I skipped through this mainly because I wasn't that interested.
An English to English Dictionary where they showed the definitions on some of the slang used in the movie such as "taking the piss", "wally" etc. Very funny.
There were also some deleted scenes, with and without commentary. I wished there were more of these. It is a pity none of these deleted scenes were hilarious nor funny.
And finally of course, the full rendition of Santa Super Sleigh with the lyrics. For a moment, I truly believe that there is such a song but was later informed by the directors in the commentary that they got someone to write it.
Verdict ======= A feelgood movie with lots of laughs. Worth watching it (again if you had seen it at the cinema)! Its worth watching this movie twice, with and without the commentaries by the directors. I found that interesting.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: John Duigan - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Charlize Theron, Stuart Townsend, Penelope Cruz
The film version of Nick Hornby's novelAbout a Boytakes a deeper though no less ... more
entertaining approach than the easy laughs ofFever PitchandHigh Fidelity. The "coming together" of idle playboy Will (Hugh Grant) and put-upon loner Marcus (Nicholas Hoult)...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
The film version of Nick Hornby's novelAbout a Boytakes a deeper though no less ... more
entertaining approach than the easy laughs ofFever PitchandHigh Fidelity. The "coming together" of idle playboy Will (Hugh Grant) and put-upon loner Marcus (Nicholas Hoult)...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
From the hugely successful author Nick Hornby and the makers of Bridget Jones's Diary ... more
comes the must have hit comedy for 2002, but this time it isn't about a girl but About A Boy.Will Freeman is the envy of every man, he drives a fast car, enjoys casua...
Advantages: Touching story, well acted and sentimentally executed Disadvantages: In many ways a re-hashed version of all of Working Title's previous releases
jambo5678 03.06.2002 ·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of About A Boy (DVD)
Advantages: Funny yet serious film, and some brilliant performances. Disadvantages: It isn't brilliant or a classic - without Hugh, would it have faded into obsurity?
oxonian 18.11.2008 (18.11.2008)
·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of About A Boy (DVD)
![About a Boy [DVD] [2002]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78542256.jpg "About a Boy [DVD] [2002]")
Jun 19th, 2003
very helpful by (100%):
