Just exactly what are you talking about Willis?
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Just exactly what are you talking about Willis?
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Member since:30.06.2006
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The phrase "well it was good, but not as good as the book" is a phrase very often used when reviewing an adaptation of a successful novel and in many ways this is very true of "About a Boy".
Now before anyone thinks I'm having a pop at the film, I'm not, the film is still excellent. A wonderful piece of relationship storytelling that is both touching and intelligent and also contains some extremely amusing asides on top.
Will Freeman leads what for many must seem like an idyllic life. He doesn't have to work, thanks to a ubiquitous Christmas song written by his father, which keeps him in royalty money, and has a comfortable if rather soulless existence. In fact it is this very selfish lifestyle that makes Will a rather childish person. He is unable to sustain any sort of relationship and even thinking of others is an idea foreign to him. It is in an attempt to meet with "desperate single parents" in
order to get easy dates that Will joins an organisation for single parents. Whilst carrying on his masquerade he meets young Marcus, a desperately lonely and insecure 12 year old boy. On returning home Marcus discovers that his mother, Fiona, has made a suicide attempt. Although she recovers, the feelings of rejection resonate inside Marcus causing him to become even more isolated and consequently bullied at school.
Marcus starts to visit Will after school and when he discovers Will's lie about his supposed "son" he blackmails Will to allow him to visit or he will expose him to the single parents group. Marcus revels in his new found friendship with Will and whilst Will doesn't exactly welcome Marcus into his life he does make genuine attempts to try to get Marcus to be more accepted within his own peer group, although this is a monumental task given Marcus's lack of social understanding.
Hugh Grant is on top form in this and proves that he can play something other than the dizzy floppy haired English Gent. In this he goes through a whole range of emotions and yet pulls it off with a considerable amount of subtly and panache that he remains utterly convincing throughout. Nicholas Hoult is similarly perfectly cast as the solemn misfit 12 year old and works a hundred times better than a "cuter" child star would have done. There's great support from Toni Collette as Marcus's mother, Fiona, and Rachel Weisz as Rachel.
The film has an interesting narrative to it as both the Will and Marcus characters provide voice-overs to explain their thoughts and ideas. Indeed this is where the book has a huge advantage over the film in that the bulk of the book deals with the inner thoughts of the characters and the reasons why they act as they do. The film though makes a brilliant attempt to bring these emotive and poignant elements through.
The film could have so easily have become an over-saccharined dollop of sentimental claptrap allowing the Marcus and Will combination to become just another "ooohh we've found each other and you've taught me so much about life" pile of pap. In a very credible move the film makers have kept a huge slice of the tone of the book by ensuring that although both Marcus and Will do learn something about life from each other, they do it in a practical, likeable and quite believable way.
For those interested the film directors are Paul Chris Weitz who were also the names behind the American Pie series. However as good as the film is, I would recommend all who enjoyed the film (and those that didn't in fact) to read the original book by Nick Hornby, which includes larger roles for several of the characters, especially the Ellie character, and lots more relationship interplay and the film.
The one criticism of the film is the "happy every after ending" which is just a little bit too happy for anything other than Hollywood (and doesn't happen quite like this in the book) but on the whole a well recommended watch.
Just to be 100% clear, this is a review of ONLY the film. I do not own the DVD and have no idea of the level and sort of extras available. I've spotted this film in several bargain bins around the shops though and I wouldn't expect to pay more than a couple of pounds for it.
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Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: John Duigan - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Charlize Theron, Stuart Townsend, Penelope Cruz
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
I love this film, apart from wanting to ring Toni Collette's neck and smack Nicholas Hoult around the head on numerous occasions. It's only their characters I dislike, but they both irritate me beyond belief! Funny how everyone else sees this kid as a brilliant actor. I can't get past the whiny voice at all. Hugh Grant is fabulous in this film. I think he plays the character really well. Good review. x
buzios 12.10.2006 10:09
I really enjoyed this too. I must read the book. Great review.
bengar 04.10.2006 22:57
I LOVE this film! It's hugh grants best for sure, and marcus is such a wicked actor! really enjoyed it, good review too, ben
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 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of About A Boy (DVD)
Advantages: Hugh Grant's performance is comedic genius, NIck Hornby was resposible for the source material... Disadvantages: The film suffers when Grant isn't on screen.
Mercury 11.12.2002 (07.02.2003)
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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)
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Review of About A Boy (DVD)
![About a Boy [DVD] [2002]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78542256.jpg "About a Boy [DVD] [2002]")
Oct 3rd, 2006
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