Rating: 
Summary: About boys
Review: "About a Boy" is misnamed: the subject should be plural. But being a magnanimous reviewer, I'm willing to overlook this one minor flaw in what is an otherwise perfect little parfait of a comedy. Hugh Grant, here, is not in the same ballpark as his usual romantic comedy work. But he is in the same league. His Will Freeman (talk about your loaded names!), unlike the unlucky blokes from "Four Weddings" and "Notting Hill", thinks he'll be unhappier without romantic, or other, attachments. He's much like the charming cad of "Bridget Jones's Diary", only Will is basically a good guy (with certain character flaws, true; a race to the hospital leaves him noting that it was fun driving fast behind the ambulance!). Blessed with a life of luxury after his pop long ago wrote a successful pop ditty, Will is content to live his life out doing nothing. He's staunch in his belief of a personal philosophy that contradicts John Donne (or was it Jon Bon Jovi?): "In this day and age, a man *can* be an island". So Will surrounds himself with technology, trendy clothes, and piles and piles of CDs. Replacing what? True human relationships. Sadly for him, as is usually the case with best-laid plans, that is not to be case. A chance encounter (that follows a ridiculous dating scheme) finds Will ensnared in the web of young Marcus. Marcus, a terminally uncool kid with a depressive hippie mother, is ably played by Nicholas Hoult. The chemistry between Grant and Hoult is the key to the film. If not for their casual ease, their contentiousness, and their caring for one another, the audience wouldn't buy Will's eventual redemption. You'd think a movie such as this would have been written by frequent Grant scribe Richard Curtis. But you'd be wrong. Would you believe me if I told you that that guys who 'authored' "American Pie" and its sequel have now made Nick Hornby books 2-for-2 in successful transfers to the big screen? The Weitz boys, Chris and Paul, bring previously unseen wit and humanity to the project, a trait I'd deemed them incapable of after their tour through teen-sex rompery. They capture the British humour quite effectively, but also do a wonderful job underplaying the film's heavier scenes. One moment in particular, that could have become quite maudlin and melodramatic in the hands of less sure directors, gives the audience only as much information as they need without dwelling too long on the ugliness. Any more and the comic tone of the film would be ruined. As it is the scene injects just enough melancholy to keep things honest. They also utilize voice-over narration quite well. A trick usually used to give one character opportunity to comment on the action, "About a Boy" uses two separate narrators. Not only does Will get to make snide comments at the other characters' expenses while expounding on his worldview, but Marcus gets a chance too. This part of the movie was surprisingly effective in that it allowed the audience to see how the unheard thoughts of Will and Marcus were slowly converging as the two became friends. The cast, loaded with fine actors in secondary roles, is effective, if a little overshadowed. Hoult, all of 12-years old, nearly becomes saccharine and precocious in moments, but has enough sense to pull back before going over the edge. His chemistry with Grant is delightful, and his worry for the sake of his mom is intense but never over the top. Toni Collette, as said mom, could have been overbearing (her Fiona is asked to sob uncontrollably at times), but she injects just the right amount of humour (along with the sadness) to make the character genuine. Rachel Weisz, in a smaller role than I'd expected, is desirable enough to make the audience believe that this is the woman Will will recant his bachelor beliefs. But above all this fine work is Grant, who not only delivers a hilariously amusing performance, but also manages a more complex character than anything I've seen him do before. If Will were just a poseur, hanging on to a clever idea for the sake of coolness, than watching him tip-toe through his new relationships would have not the intrigue that it does. Grant carries the film, from its opening monologue, to his 'rousing' rendition of Roberta Flack's 'Killing Me Softly' that caps the denouement. It's some of his best, and most mature, work to date. In the end, "About a Boy" is one of those romantic comedies that needs not follow the rules of the genre, and becomes better for it. It's not about the coupling of man and woman, but the need for a system of relationships. One that you (or I, or Will, or Marcus) can care for, and watch grow, and shelter you in your times of need. A fine, funny film.
Rating: 
Summary: Killing me Softly with his song...
Review: Ayn Rand, if she were alive today, would have loved the first half of the Weitz Brothers "About a Boy." Why? Because the lead character, Will Freeman (free-man...get it?) embodies many of her priciples of selfishness: he thinks of no one but himself, he believes first in the right of the individual (himself) over the masses (anyone else), he'll lie and cheat to get what he wants from a woman, or anyone else for that matter. Will is the new Millennium Howard Roark. So much so that, while watching a quiz program, Will remarks that John Donne's line "No man is an Island..." should be re-written to read: All men are islands, entire of themselves...not part of the main.
But all of this callousness starts to break away when Will meets Marcus (Nicholas Hoult), a 12 yr old nerd who sees Will as the savior of his own as well as his very depressed mother's (Fiona played by the estimable Toni Colette)lives. He looks at Will as the father he needs and the boyfriend maybe husband his Mom needs.
One of the very funny set pieces in the film involves Will's realization that single Moms often need male companionship, crave affection and caring from a man and so he proceeds to join SPAT or Single Parents Alone Together. He also makes up a son named Ned and proceeds to join in on the bonding exercises of the love starved single Moms. It is through SPAT that Will meets Marcus and Fiona.
The Weitz brothers have heretofore been known for the best of the teen comedies, "American Pie" and for the very low budget, "Chuck and Buck."Who would have though that they had the talent to effectively realize this very English story based on Nick Hornby's novel.
Hugh Grant has gone all out to play this callow fellow but his likeability shines through nonetheless; which is fine for the second half of the film but not for the first. Overall his performance is charming and eloquent and extremely witty. Nicholas Hoult manages to be both nerdy and geeky yet gutsy as well: Marcus literally pushes himself and his Mom into Will's life. Hoult's performance is subdued and shaded and he doesn't fall into any of the stock, cutesy-pie film kid traps. His comment that "I'm one of those people who never has a good time in life" is sad but Hoult delivers it with a nice sardonic twist.
"About a Boy" is a gentle, wise comedy; maybe not as biting as it should be but entertaining and enjoyable in the very best sense with clever, witty writing and first rate performances.
Rating:
Summary: What is it all Aboot?
Review: This movie is set in contemporary London and its story revolves around the life of playboy Will Freeman (Hugh Grant). Freeman is an independent man who enjoys a leisurely life carved into careful sections. His friends find him desperately lonely and unfulfilled, a notion he entirely disregards. Whilst trying to find creative new ways to meet single women for casual relationships, he meets a boy named Marcus (Nicholas Hoult). Marcus is the misfit at his school, overburdened by his freethinking and chronically depressed mother, Fiona (Toni Collette). Freeman and Marcus forge an unlikely but edifying bond that transposes their generation gap and differences. Culminating in a hilarious school music performance, the two discover new ways to navigate a changing world and terms in which to redefine the meaning of family. Saturated by the amazing music of Badly Drawn Boy, this is an enduring and enjoyable comedy. Hugh Grant's character of the roguish unlikely hero seems ideally suited to him. Collette's performance as a seeming shallow liberal is wonderfully dynamic, bringing depth and heart to the character. The film tackles many social issues, especially problems of male (father-son) relations, from a compelling point of view. It's a picture of modern England that burrows into the largely untapped life of this fascinating country. The horribly undeveloped and unrealistic character of the rebellious teenage girl with whom Marcus becomes smitten is the only place where this film really lacks. Otherwise it is a pleasure to watch.
Rating:
Summary: Probably the best they could do out of the book
Review: Firstly, About A Boy is a really good film. I had anticipated it for ages as I like Hugh Grant films and loved the book. It didn't let me down, as it is very funny and sees Grant veering (albeit only slightly) from his normal role as the stuttering, stumbling fool who falls in love. It is entertaining and really holds your interest and is well worth seeing. At the same time, I can't quite call it as good as the book, simply because you can't fit everything from the book into the film. I loved the film version of High Fidelity, but I did see that before I read the book, whilst here I read the book first. With the obvious time constraints of the film I can't see them having included all the details, but if you are interested in sharing even more jokes and storyline (and a less rushed ending) read the book as well as seeing the film.
Rating:
Summary: If you enjoy modern London life, you'll enjoy this film.
Review: I am a 30-yr-old Brit, living in central London. And how I identified with this film as a result. I laughed virtually non-stop throughout the film! On the one hand, this film will be seen to capture all that is wrong with modern city living in 2002 - the superficial glitz, the gadget-mania, stress of style over substance etc. On the other hand it is a touching portrayal of modern life - which for all its problems is a lot more affluent, comfortable and tolerant now than previous generations often could enjoy. As a central Londoner, I can testify that this film is a remarkably accurate and faithful portrayal of the Clerkenwell-style chic that it describes. Not for Working Title (the producers) the common Hollywood-style tricks of walks-round-corner-and-jumps-10-miles-in-the-process; or at least, I hardly saw such tricks and I was looking for them!
Rating:
Summary: Hugh Grant's best role
Review: When I went to see this movie I was expecting a re-run of 'Bridget Jones' Diary' as it had been scripted by the same Richard Curtis, who also did 'Four Wedding And A Funeral' and 'Notting Hill'. The obvious theme being Hugh Grant, he gives his best performance to date in this likeable dramatic comedy. He's a self-confessed 'island' who likes to go it alone and is completely against settling down. However, when he uses a young boy to pose as his son so he can woo single mothers he begins to realise the cracks in his own life. The best thing about this movie is that it doesn't take itself too seriously. Grant doesn't make a sudden and inconsistent change in his character and the constant humour that underlines it all means that this is, above all else, a comedy. All of the serious moments are well handled but they never take over the film. This is certainly a credit to all those involved in the film, that they can handle a suicide attempt directly after a stroll in the park. Apart from the marvellously self-centered performance from Grant, there's also good turns from Rachel Weiss (The Mummy) and Toni Colette (Muriel's Wedding) as love interest and hippy single parent respectively. The kid who plays the boy of the title does alright but is certainly no find. Yet that shouldn't distract you from the fact that this is Grant's movie and he handles it very well indeed.
Rating:
Summary: Very funny, a chick flick for boys
Review: From the opening moments you find yourself sucked into Hugh Grants life, as a funny pleasent but deeply vacant man, Will. The lives of the characters interwine but mostly those of Grant's character and the 'boy', (Nicholas Hoult).
Will's voiceover shows us how he thinks, reacts and views the world. Needless to say this gradually changes the more time he spends with the boy Marcus.
Grant is very liekable in this movie, his thoughts veering like a drunk driver from crass and tactless to naive and hysterically funny, (ambulance scene). Marcus played by Nicholas Hoult is equally compelling and excellently acted stealing most of the scenes he's in.
A funny funny film, very watchable and very well adapted from the book.
Rating:
Summary: About a boy
Review: Went to the local cinema (in the UK) to see this at a preview screening. The film contains some very funny scenes as we follow the main charachter a 38yr old single man played by Hugh Grant, who's never had to do as days work, he spends most of his time watching TV & trying to date women. Events take a turn, when he meets 12 yr old Marcus, a boy with problems at home & who suffers bullying at school. Gradually they become friends. The film does contain a fair bit of swearing, usually relevant to the particular scene in the film. Very enjoyable movie, should be a big hit in the UK & hopefully the US, well worth taking a look.
Rating:
Summary: about a boy
Review: it is a great film. Serious but funny.
Rating:
Summary: About a boy for all you Hugh Grant fanatics.
Review: "About a Boy" is to hit the big-screen in May rated PJ. For all you Hugh Grant fans, this is a must-see film. The older the man gets, the more gorgeous! I have rated this film a 5 star because anything with the fabulous Hugh Grant in, obviously doesn't deserve any less a grade! From his sexy looks to sexy voice, this film clearly will be a hit! PLease do go to your local cinema and grab a chance to see this soon award winning film, Thankyou!
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