Rating: 
Summary: It¿s Hugh Grant¿s best work to date.
Review: I first saw this movie while on a business trip to Chattanooga. I needed to finish up some work on a presentation I was making the next day and there was nothing on TV, so I decided to splurge and rent an On-Demand movie. Most of the movies I had either seen, or had no interest in seeing and just as I was about to turn it off, I came across About A Boy. I hadn't heard much buzz about the movie and I'm not a fan of Hugh Grant, but for reasons unknown to me, I rented it.I was expecting another one of Hugh Grant's saccharine romantic comedies where he plays a charming befuddling fop as he's done ad nauseam since Four Weddings And A Funereal. Granted, I liked Four Weddings immensely, but by Notting Hill I'd had my fill. Much to my surprise, Grant was playing a completely different character and was clearly attempting to break his mold. He'd done that once before in Bridget Jones' Diary, where he played a jerk, but now he was taking it in another direction entirely. It's a refreshing and more importantly interesting change. But this movie isn't all about Hugh Grant's character Will. His co-star is new comer Nicholas Hoult, who plays the boy Marcus and he carries his own. Ultimately, the movie is about both of them, and so Hoult has the responsibility of carrying half the weight of the movie and he does a splendid job. Rounding out the cast is Toni Collette and Rachel Weisz, each do an excellent job as well. Suffice to say that the casting for this movie is brilliant. Each character is fully developed and rich with complexity and emotion. I bought each and every one of them. Not once did I feel that there was a weak link in the bunch. That's also surprising because this type of movie is hard to pull off. So what kind of movie is this? At it's heart, this movie is a comedy. That being said, with subject matter such as suicide, it is most definitely a drama as well. That's a fine line to walk in a film but Weitz Brothers deftly manage to pull it off. Granted their movie is based on the Hornby book by the same name, so they had a rich palette to begin with, but the brothers clearly rose to the challenge and created a fantastic movie. There have been plenty of good books that have been butchered at the box office and Boy is a rare exception. There's no cliche' choices made by the characters and the director's did a great job at staying true to the tone of the book. Chris and Paul also stretched themselves with their camera work and it pays off. If you're into "film" there's a lot to chew on between the use of jump cuts, depth of focus and swing shots. None of this gets in the way of the movie. If anything these camera techniques add to the performances and help tell the story. Interweaving it's way throughout the movie and in some cases almost playing a role in the film, is the music and it is spot on. All the music was written by Badly Drawn Boy specifically for this movie. I was not familiar with the artist prior to seeing the film, but the director's couldn't have made a better choice. Although each song stands on it's own on the soundtrack, each song also easily blends into the scene and lends a hand in creating just the right tone for the movie. After listening to the soundtrack, I could imagine it as simply a regular artist release, so it stands on it's own. Yet when it's worked into the movie it's pure gold. So why do I like it so much? I'd like to think that I'm not alone in this, but it's because I can relate to the movie on so many levels. There are so many scenes that I could describe, but in the end I would be retelling the entire movie. Every scene has something in it that is worth watching again and again. I can relate to Marcus as he's picked on in school, tries to cope with his mother's depression and ultimately knowingly faces complete and utter embarrassment as a last ditch effort to make his mother happy. The names and places have been changed to protect the innocent, but I've been there. Then there's Will who has to finally face his demons and his father's legacy in order to join the human race and be a part of other peoples lives. Although not an exact context, I've been there in one way shape or form. Surprisingly, I caught myself watching it again the other day on DVD and it struck me that this movie is now in my Top 10, or dare I say Top 5 movie list. I maybe be borrowing from another fantastic Hornby book/movie High Fidelity, but it's true. It's not Citizen Kane, but it is one of the best movies that takes a funny look at becoming a man through two different people. In trying to describe this movies to others, I've called it "A guy's romantic comedy." That doesn't really nail it on the head, but I'd like to think that About A Boy, IS a guy's movie. The subject matter may not have Rambo's, or Rocky's, but any guy who can think about something other than sports, or monster trucks should get something from this movie. It's Hugh Grant's best work to date. It's based on a hugely successful book and it's funny as hell. What's not to like?
Rating:
Summary: At least a comedy that is not only to laugh
Review: The fifth star of this movie is awarded to the DVD itself. It's really enjoyable not only the making off, but the cut scenes and the off-commentaries of the directors. It is interesting to see the real job of editing and making off this excellent film. I like it very much the way Hugh Grant (Will) and the boy Nicholas Hoult (Marcus) tell the story as it goes for both of them. It seems that complicity of both characters is totally represented by both actors. I have seen Hugh Grant in a huge number of romantic comedies and I didn't expect much of him but THIS IS DIFFERENT. As he says in the extra material he represents 100% a British, rich, handsome, useless bachelor. He is even more irresistible for children than for women. Some acting parts are beautifully absurd: when Will plays guitar helping Marcus to sing "Killing Me Softly", when he goes to the SPAT to meet all divorced women into therapy, when Marcus tries to conquer the older girl by singing his brand-new rap CD... And taking in mind the work of the directors, I think now I am even able to go and watch "American Pie".
Rating:
Summary: A contemporary classic...
Review: First and foremost, I want to state that Hugh Grant, as an actor and screen presence, deserves to be respected more. Some of the abuse this guy has endured, at the hands of the media and general public has been unwarranted and cumulative to the point where one of this generations most unappreciated talents is considering retirement at an early age. The root of Grant's success and criticism is his championing of the romantic comedy. Once a well respected genre (think It Happened One Night - which swept all major Oscar awards in 1934) the "romcom" is only now reemerging as a force to be reckoned with, due in part by the success of When Harry Met Sally('84), Pretty Woman('90), Sleepless in Seattle('93), Groundhog Day('93), but more in part to the work of Hugh Grant. The man has almost single-handedly restored the genre to its rightful place as audiences are beginning to appreciate the depth, quality and cathartic power that movies like About a Boy are capable of achieving. But his success has come at a price. Grant is in a unique predicament, not unlike most pop star idols, of being lionized by romcom audiences (largely female) and lambasted by the media and the average Joe six-pack for being too feminine and foppish and (pick your own). When I hear someone make an easy joke about Grant, I have made them myself, it is usually a cheap shot - he is an easy target- but more often than not, everyone who makes them sees a side of themselves in his charming smile and self-depracating humour that we all want to be a part of-this is the appeal of Hugh Grant and the romcom in genral. So now we have Mr. Grant deliberately seeking out roles with more weight and "steel". Not only is this a step in the right direction for the continued health and success of Grant, but also the logical evolution of the romantic comedy with the drama. This shift is represented by Grant's character Will in About, who at first glance is a carefree, hip thirty-something bachelor with no real worries but finding a nice lay. In reality, however, Hugh, I mean, Will, is vulnerable and afraid and fast approaching a crisis. We watch as he must break his cocoon of complacency or break down and die under its weight. The risks are really quite high: a life is at stake. And we watch this man break his shackles and gain a life of happiness, social connection and ultimately, love. The story is a timeless one of personal transformation and freedom from mental barriers that we as vulnerable creatures erect to cope with the pressures and anxieties of modern living. About a Boy remembers that at the heart of every good story is a character flawed in some capacity that must engage in battle with his own personal demons before balance and harmony are attained. Through Will's transformation, we as witnesses to his story must embrace his struggle as our own - this is the power of movies - thereby challenging ourselves to grow and improve. About a Boy is a landmark in cinematic history and is in my personal top-20 list of all-time movie classics. Thank you Mr. Grant (and team) for your excellent work, and continued success.
Rating: 
Summary: This Does NOT Do the Book Justice
Review: If you've read the book, I wouldn't bother to buy this. You'll be left feeling robbed.
This film simplifies the storyline and the characters to the point where the heart and bones of the whole thing is ripped to shreds.
You might be mildly entertained if you haven't already read the book, but really, if you haven't read the book yet this might very well put you right off it, and that would be a shame, because Nick Hornby is a great writer.
I'll put this review in context by adding that I felt completely the opposite about High Fidelity, another film made from a Nick Hornby novel, which was truly marvellous and inspiring.
Rating:
Summary: Just not up to par
Review: I wanted to like this movie, I really did. But I was disappointed by it.
The premise of the film is that Will (Hugh Grant), a selfish slacker who has no job and lives off his father's old royalty fees, decides to start preying on single mothers who are looking for a little romance. He then meets Marcus (Nicholas Hoult), the young son of a suicidal woman who is desperately seeking help and friendship. Will eventually asks Marcus to pretend to be his son in order to have a shot at dating an attractive single mom (Rachel Weisz), and everything goes downhill from there.
"About a Boy" isn't at all what I expected it to be. I didn't think it was all that funny or moving, and I probably wouldn't have sat through the entire thing if it weren't for the fact that I adore Hugh Grant, and he really does a great job in the film. I think my biggest problem with the movie is that the kid who plays Marcus is kind of freaky, and I cringed every time his creepy little face popped up on the screen. I do not recommend seeing this film unless you are a big fan of Hugh Grant, in which case I suggest tuning in only for the final fifteen minutes so you can see him sing a rousing rendition of "Killing Me Softly," which is pretty freakin' hilarious. Otherwise, this is definitely a film to pass up.
Rating: 
Summary: (GASP!) Britishness saves the day...
Review: ...if this movie had fallen into the hands of a lesser director, particularly a cloying and schmaltzy American one (read: Steven Spielberg, Joel Schumacher, etc.) this movie could've easily turned into your standard full-blown Hollywood blockbuster of a catastrophe.
Amazingly enough, it fell into the hands of the directors of "American Pie," who were wise enough to keep the film's location in London rather than transplanting it to say New York or LA as was done to Nick Hornsby's other book, "High Fidelity," which was also London-based and barely survived its transplantation to Chicago. Most importantly, they were also wise enough to preserve most of the original book's characteristically British flavor.
You know the kind of vintage Hollywood cheesefest I'm talking about: one of those kitschy, brain-dead, focus-group-spawned, tear-jerking, cheesy-feel-good plotlines affirming "family values" and other assorted crockery with the painfully melodramatic UPLIFTING HAPPY ENDING you could see coming about ten miles away.
Well, this movie comes close to the edge of that abyss but thankfully gets pulled back every time by a very potent antidote: British humor! Otherwise known as sarcasm, irony, wit, and other terms seldom understood in this Bushian age of "reality" shows and semi-retarded presidents. This film is full of that, with a very strong snappy script that could only have been written on that little island off the western coast of Europe...and no, I don't mean Ireland.
There are sprinklings of cheese here and there but plenty of merciful restraint, so all the parts that had me cringing in anticipation of a full-frontal CHEESE ASSAULT actually turned out to fairly well, it was done in the most admirably tasteful moderation.
The special features on this DVD are also noteworthy. I've never seen a film with so many deleted scenes that made me wish they had NOT been deleted! (With most films it's easy to see why the "Deleted Scenes" were deleted.) There's also some music videos and artist info about the British pop band whose music dominates the pleasantly catchy pop soundtrack, and an "English to English" dictionary feature which I'm sure Americans who've never been exposed to British English idioms will find extremely useful.
I'm not sure I could sit and watch this movie more than once, but it was nonetheless an VERY fun 2 hours!
Rating:
Summary: About a Movie
Review: This movie is one of my all-time favorite comedies. It also happens to star Hugh Grant who is one of my faves and the extremely talented Toni Colette. I think that if you want to see a movie that makes you laugh you will love this, especially if you enjoy Hugh Grant movies. During the movie, you hear Grant thinking out loud. One of my favorite scenes is when he is at a restaurant with young and geekish Marcus, who has somehow gotten Grant to take him and his mother out to eat. He thinks "The mother is clearly insane and appears to be wearing some sort of Yetti costume." My second favorite scene is when Grant joins Marcus on stage at the school talent show to save him from embarassment. I won't spoil the surprise, but it is hysterical.
Rating:
Summary: two boys for the price of one
Review: Right on the money. Doesn't miss a beat. Creative writing and great performances. The humour and occassional drama come in subtle waves. The boy in this story is definitely the character of Hugh Grant and to the story's credit a second boy,who is of age to be an authentic boy is introduced. He walks into Grant's life and turns everything upside down and they both learn to be men. Instead of going for broad comedy the script is more subtle, focusing on people's dilemmas, contradictions, hypocrisies and even finding humour in their tragic failures. It's really a drama that takes everything very seriously. But because it sees the light at the end of the tunnel, very clearly it teaches us that when life presents an end to something, it also offers a beginning to something else. Let's embrace it!
Rating:
Summary: grant in another movie about being confused
Review: Even though one can quickly notice the simularity in the type of movies Grant is in, you can't help but like this movie. Got this for christmas and it has been one of my favorites ever since.
Rating:
Summary: Hugh Grant's Best Film
Review: I've never been a fan of Hugh Grant's. With the exception of perhaps "Notting Hill", he has always come off to me as being somewhat smug and self-satisfied. In this film he portrays a thirtyish slacker who lives off an inheritance who is confronted with the reality of growing up. This guise comes in the form of a maladjusted adolescent(Nicholas Houlte) who has to deal with bullies and his mother's suicidal tendencies. Grant's character serves as a mentor for the lad and in the process matures himself. The title of the film has something of a double-meaning. Does it refer to the young boy or Grant's character? The acting in this film is excellent with Houlte giving a natural performance and Toni Collette as his mother gives a complex reading of a character that could have been cliched. The script here is excellent. There are a number of scenes that stand-out. One involves Grant volunteering for Amnesty International so he can meet girls on the phone bank. Another involves Grant joining a single parent's group for the same exact purpose.
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