Movie Reviews for About a Boy (Widescreen Edition)

About a Boy (Widescreen Edition)

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Movie Reviews of About a Boy (Widescreen Edition)

Movie Review: Quirky and stylish.
Summary: 5 Stars

A film that moves briskly, but carries the viewer along nicely. It is entertaining and features a realistic portrayal of characters struggling with lives that are slightly derailed. The film--similar to the film Passion Fish--avoids becoming maudlin or manipulative and manages to surprise the viewer once or twice.

Highly recommended.

Movie Review: Hugh Grant's finest hour.
Summary: 5 Stars

Hugh Grant is pitch perfect in his role. He's been quoted as saying it's the only movie he can watch himself in and not cringe. I've always been a fan of Hugh Grant, but was pleasantly surprised when I caught it on DVD. I've watched it again numerous times and have fallen in love it. As with any movie that withstands the test of time, repeated viewings reveal that this a much deeper movie than it purports to be upon first sight.

Movie Review: Refreshingly non-cliche.
Summary: 4 Stars

This is a film about a man who is still a boy and a boy who is all-too quickly becoming a man. They are one another's exact opposites and through this become exactly what the other needs. Will is a man who has never had to truly care about anyone and Marcus is a boy who does nothing but care (primarily for his mother who is suicidal). Marcus craves a father figure and Will finds comfort in playing that role. While this doesn't sound like a comedy, it ultimately is. Their interactions are so akward and heartfelt that comedy cannot help but ensue. They are both on a quest to learn about life and themselves, but they cannot do it alone. The opening monologue of the film references Will's belief that every man is an island. However as he grows as a characters, it becomes apparent that maybe no man is an island and that to find an ounce of true happiness in life one must look to others. I find this to be one of the more enjoyable roles that Hugh Grant plays and as always Toni Collette (who plays the mother) is a gem. The romantic subplots feel slightly manipulative, but the relationship between Will and Marcus are genuine, sweet and truly entertaining.

Movie Review: Not quite High Fidelity, but close enough to be a contender
Summary: 4 Stars

Not surprisingly, this film feels and unfolds similarly to its cinematic sibling, High Fidelity. Based on John Cusack and Jack Black's outstanding and often hilarious performances in that film, I'd have to say it solidly scores a 5 star rating, and About a Boy, while good, is more of a 4 1/2. About a Boy drags a little at times, isn't quite as overtly humorous, occasionally seems muddled and unsure of its direction or ultimate destination, and leaves poor Toni Colette's character hanging while wrapping things up nicely for everyone else.

Faults aside, About a Boy is refreshingly quirky, honest, and life affirming. Hugh Grant is utterly believable as Will, an aging slacker with a trust fund and uber-cool pad but no friends or fun or reason to get out of bed in the morning. He decides to try to pose as a single dad in order to date single moms in a self-help group, and somehow falls into a cross-generational friendship with an outwardly nerdy but inwardly awesome pre-teen named Marcus. Of course eventually Hugh meets a cute lass and after predictable misunderstandings they finally get together, but in the meantime, the relationship with Marcus and the insight into Marcus's world and the battles he's fighting really lend weight to what could otherwise be a tasteless, rehashed Notting Hill.

Although the movie's end doesn't quite leave you punching the air and yelling "Yes! Ten stars!" it's still well worth the time, and it's complex and layered enough to be worth later re-watching (which is more than you can say for 99% of the movies out there, right?!).

All in all, a funky little gem of a movie that nicely marries Hollywood happy endings with credible characters, plot, and dialogue and a nifty, soulful, Britpoppy soundtrack. 4 1/2 thumbs up!