DVD Review: About a Boy
What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that this movie has some strong
language (two uses of f--k, a lot for a PG-13) and some sexual
references (Will is an unabashed love-'em-and-leave-'em guy). A
parent is clinically depressed and attempts suicide and the
child feels responsible. Another child becomes hysterical about
the prospect of his mother dating. Marcus' mother fears that
Will has an improper interest in Marcus. Characters drink and
smoke.
- Families can talk about how we decide just how much of an
island we want to be. Why is it important to Will not to have
any relationships? Why are the kids in school so mean to
Marcus? How are Will and Marcus alike and how are they
different? Is it right for him to believe that it is his
responsibility to make his mother feel better? How does
Will's relationship with Marcus make him more interested in a
relationship with Rachel? What kind of grown-up will Marcus
be? How does helping Marcus change Will's feelings about him?
Families should also talk about the definition of girlfriend that Will and Marcus discuss and Marcus' idea about the importance of having a back-up. Why does Will watch Frankenstein? Does Will create a monster? Families may also want to talk about depression and its causes and treatments.
ABOUT A BOY, based on the book of the same name by Nick Hornby, is the story of a shallow man appropriately named Will Freeman (Hugh Grant) who wants to live life entirely self-contained with no reason to form attachments of any kind. Will's plan to avoid romantic emotional entanglements: single mothers. He decides it's the perfect relationship; they have low expectations and a sympathetic listener can get pretty far with them. So he pretends to be a single parent himself, makes up a 2-year-old son, and attends a support group in order to meet them. At a group picnic, Will meets a 12-year-old named Marcus (Nicholas Hoult). Marcus is isolated but does not want to be. His single mother is severely depressed and even the outcasts at school think he is too much of a dork to hang out with. Marcus just shows up at Will's home every afternoon to watch television and ultimately insists on becoming the closest thing to a friend that Will has ever known.
The plot sounds like manipulative claptrap from a Hallmark Hall of Fame made-for-TV movie. That's because there is so much appeal in this kind of theme that even a lousy script and poor production values can't completely destroy it. But when it's done well -- or even very, very well, as it is here -- it turns into a purely satisfying and enjoyable film.
We know from Bridget Jones's Diary and even Small Time Crooks that Hugh Grant relishes playing a cad. Freed from the obligation to be the perfect boyfriend of Notting Hill-type movies, he gives us a superb performance of great honesty and subtlety and flawless comedy timing.
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