About a Boy is one of the films that got me into film. I re-watched it this week as part of this project I'm working on: a list of the top 100 films of the past decade. I think it may be good enough to have a spot in said list.
I had loved this movie for a long time, but I also had not seen it in quite a while. I am pleased to say that the comedic moments are still hilarious and the tender moments are still understated and sweet and, most of all, sincere. That may be the greatest thing about this film: its sincerity. I never get the feeling I am being lied to; nothing is taken too seriously or treated too melodramatically. All it attempts to be is a kindhearted movie about some people who really aren't all that bad, and in this endeavor it is successful.
The film is directed by Paul and Chris Weitz, is based on a novel by Nick Hornby, and stars Hugh Grant as Will, a somewhat narcissistic bachelor, and Nicholas Hoult as Marcus, a ten-year-old who is tormented at school. This is not your typical Hugh Grant romantic comedy, although romance is certainly not out of the question in the story. But that's not what it's about. What About a Boy is really about is, well, just that. A boy becoming a man. Actually, two boys, both taking their own respective journeys toward manhood. They are each a huge factor in the other's journey, so it's also about the necessity of other people in our lives. This might not make sense if you haven't seen the film, but if you have, I think you'll get what I mean. At any rate, watching it is a joyous experience.
I would say this is easily Hugh Grant's best role, maybe because he's not completely sweet, not completely charming, but not completely evil. The screenplay gives him a lot more to work with that he usually has, and his supporting cast is terrific as well. Toni Collette, as Marcus's depressed mother, is particularly good.
Also, the soundtrack, by Badly Drawn Boy, rocks.
Make sure to see this movie if you haven't. If you want to know more about it, watch the trailer; I guarantee you'll want to see it.
This comment has nothing to do with this particular post. I just wanted to say that I find it a bit amusing that you were so concerned at the beginning of this blog about how often you would really post. I think you've offically become the most consistent blogger that I follow. Congrats.
ReplyDelete