This Boy's Life
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Movie Reviews of This Boy's Life
Movie Review: A+++++Film, Great Story & Actors,
Summary: 5 Stars
This is one film that is superior to the book, although I like the book, too. Robert DeNiro is perfect as the very crude, sometimes funny, but mostly mean step-father. That he can play diverse roles with such conviction is amazing. Saint or sinner, he is always believable. The film captures the late 50's era and the precarious situation of a savvy, wily and very witty teen boy and his divorced & striving working mom realistically...and their journey to what the mother thinks will be a better life. There are both frightening and hilarious incidents...also, much courage and bravery. Ellen Barkin and Leonardo DeCaprio are excellent...so true and believable in their roles. I was rooting for them all the way. The movie led me to read the book, which then led me to read another book by the author's older brother, who went to live with the father rather than the mother and his harrowing experiences. This film should be seen by all troubled teens..I also see it as a warning to women with children who find themselves with an abusive partner. My only criticism is the implication that anyone who stays in a small town like Concrete and works in a factory or with their hands is a loser (not everyone can become a writer/teacher)...the important thing is that one can eventually escape and free oneself from a bad homelife or situation and not let it or other set backs ruin one's future or whole life.
Movie Review: De Nerio Upstaged !!
Summary: 5 Stars
Dicaprio is short of geneious in his roll of Abused Son...De Nerio, one of my favorites ,is very good in his roll too, but is much upstaged by Dicaprio, who at a very young age, gave probably, besides Tiatnic, and Whats eating gilbert Grape, a very demanding and concvining performance ever. What was most amazing was how young Dicaprio appears at the beginging of the movie. I swear it looks like the Director filmed this movie with a Real couple of years in between, so we could watch Dicaprio gently age. De Nerio's role demands that he playes such a hatful bullying father that he fools you into actually totally disliking him, which I feel his role is meant to be portrayed, and portarayed well it is!...Barkin is also very good, playing the role of Abused Woman Syndrome. Dont know the actual term for that syndrome, but it is very real and a sad coment on our "societal Hush Hush". Barkin Glows when she gets that.."Hey were out of here" additude. As the story progresse, she comes accross more as a sister than a mother...But after the hardships she indures in her personal life,..she demands better for her son. Oh, and WOW, check out the pompador Hair due on Dicaprio. This movie based on actual events is very grippig and heart breaking, and very much so because it continues right now as you read this review...Highly Recemonded, wounderful movie.Movie Review: Not Just Another Leo Movie
Summary: 5 Stars
Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen Barkin, and Robert De Niro star in the drama "This Boy's Life" about the true life of Tobias Woolf. This highly dramatic movie contains many shocking scenes that may become eye openers to some. Such intensity keeps the audience closely watching every second. The extreme of it forces the audience to feel what every character feels. More than just the excellent screenplay writing acts out this task. The cast and crew brilliantly perform their roles. Every actor assists with the audience impacts with their wonderful performances. No one holds back a drop of emotion from their characters. Robert De Niro wonderfully plays a child abuser. Though few will like the character, he'll be remembered by many. Leonardo DiCaprio and Ellen Barkin brilliantly play the victims. This is more noticable in DiCaprio because the cruelty hits him the hardest. His closely-breaking-down parts are performed realisticly.
"This Boy's Life" is the movie for those who are looking for a power drama. Its impact will never be forgotten by anyone. Anyone who watches this movie will be entertained.
Movie Review: This Boy's Life Sets a Standard
Summary: 5 Stars
While other actors in his age group (and some peers of his today) chose to play the teeny-bopper type, young Leonardo DiCaprio took a major chance to play a perfect breakthrough role. Most people have never heard of this movie (mostly do to the sterotyping of the late nineties) and I believe that most people should see this movie. Leonardo found his niche back in April of 1993 and has never given it up. Leonardo does intelligent drama. Hey, look at Gangs of New York and Catch Me If You Can. Gangs of New York has even proven itself to go over the heads of ignorant (and rather uneducated) American critics (who should have read more about the movie before seeing it).Maybe that's why Leonardo gets all of his major awards overseas, but not in his own country!!! Caton-Jones, who directed DiCaprio in This Boy's Life called him "the thinking women's crumpet." And he was right. If the Academy wanted to give an award to a younger actor, they should have nominated and awarded it to Leonardo DiCaprio. Ten years from now, Leonardo will still be doing intelligent drama.Movie Review: Touches sensitive issues
Summary: 5 Stars
I have watched this movie many times on VHS. After I write this, I am going to order it on DVD. The issues it touches are single mothers, abusive fathers, and homosexuality. I have read all the reviews that other people wrote and didn't see this last topic touched upon. It also is intertwined with the issue of bullying. Two other boys look upon the gay boy as being weak just because he was gay. They convince Dwight (Leonardo) to pick a fight with this boy. The gay boy wins the fight and he and Leonardo become friends due to a mutual interest in playing the piano. Dwight, going to a new school at high school age, which is always a difficult adjustment, is desperately in need of friends. This was very moving to me. In addition, there is a wonderful conclusion to Dwight's problems with his abusive father (Robert Deniro). I disagree with the reviewer who disliked the ending. Watch this movie. It is so overlooked. Yet it is one of my favorites-a very moving experience.