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Year:   2002
Studio: Universal Studios, Studio Canal,
        Tribeca/Working Title
Movie:  2/5
DVD:    3/5

About a Boy is a movie about two people trying to find the perfect balance of companionship in their lives. Will (Hugh Grant) is a an adult man who lives a life of independent leisure. He is not quite wealthy but well off living off the royalties of a song his dad wrote in 1958. Will moves through relationships, living the bachelor's life to the hilt, though in a subdued English way.

And then Will meets Marcus (Nicholas Hoult) and his manic-depressive mother Fiona (Toni Collette). This is not a romance between Will and Fiona, it quickly becomes a relationship between Will and Marcus. Marcus needs another adult figure in his life and he attaches himself to Will. Will for his part is rather annoyed but eventually accepts Marcus and tries to help him deal with life. And in doing that Will realizes some things about his life that he doesn't like.

I thought the movie was boring in an English sort of way. I empathized with neither character, didn't particularly like the humor, and just wasn't interested in seeing a happy ending. Just any ending. So this is not a movie I can recommend. I note that the movie is based on a book by author who wrote Fever Pitch and High Fidelity, two other movies I'm not wild about.
Extras

Spotlight On Location (11:00)
Commentary track with directors Chris and Paul Weitz
Deleted Scenes (14:20) -- with and without commentary
Music Videos
  "Silent Sigh" by Badly Drawn Boy
  "Something to Talk About" by Badly Drawn Boy
"Santa's Super Sleigh" -- lyrics and song
English to English Dictionary -- British slang
Trailer
Production Notes
Cast and Filmmakers

Copyright (c) 2005 Kevin C. Wong
Page Created: March 3, 2005 Page Last Updated: March 3, 2005