IMDb > This Boy's Life (1993)
This Boy's Life
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

This Boy's Life (1993) More at IMDbPro »

Videos (see all 4 NEW)
This Boy's Life (1993) -- The story about the relationship between a rebellious 50s teenager and his abusive father, based on the memoirs of writer and literature professor Tobias Wolff.
This Boy's Life (1993) -- The story about the relationship between a rebellious 50s teenager and his abusive father, based on the memoirs of writer and literature professor Tobias Wolff.
This Boy's Life (1993) -- Sinematurk - Trailer (Flash)
This Boy's Life (1993) -- MyMovieScripts.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.3/10   10,545 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 1% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Writers (WGA):
Tobias Wolff (book)
Robert Getchell (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for This Boy's Life on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
9 April 1993 (USA) more
Genre:
Biography | Drama more
Tagline:
He looked like the ideal husband. He seemed like the perfect father. That's just what they needed. But that's not what they got. more
Plot:
The story about the relationship between a rebellious 50s teenager and his abusive father, based on the memoirs of writer and literature professor Tobias Wolff. full summary | full synopsis
NewsDesk:
(2 articles)
DiCaprio, De Niro and Pesci to Star in Heist Film?
 (From Cinematical. 27 February 2009, 12:02 PM, PST)

Ten Things You Never Knew About Leonardo DiCaprio
 (From digitalspy. 11 November 2008, 10:00 PM, PST)

User Comments:
Concrete Is My Hometown more (66 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Robert De Niro ... Dwight Hansen

Ellen Barkin ... Caroline Wolff Hansen

Leonardo DiCaprio ... Tobias 'Toby' Wolff

Jonah Blechman ... Arthur Gayle

Eliza Dushku ... Pearl

Chris Cooper ... Roy

Carla Gugino ... Norma
Zachary Ansley ... Skipper (as Zack Ansley)
Tracey Ellis ... Kathy
Kathy Kinney ... Marian
Robert Zameroski ... Arch Cook (as Bobby Zameroski)

Tobey Maguire ... Chuck Bolger
Tristan Tait ... Jerry Huff
Travis MacDonald ... Psycho
Richard Liss ... A&P Manager
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated R for strong language and sexuality.
Runtime:
115 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby
Filming Locations:
Concrete, Washington, USA more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Leonardo DiCaprio grew a few inches while shooting the film and he had to slouch in several scenes to look smaller next to Robert De Niro. more
Goofs:
Continuity: Injured finger that's still bandaged months later in the timeline of the story. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Tobias 'Toby' Wolff: It was 1957. We were driving from Florida to Utah. After my mother was beaten up by her boyfriend, we got in the Nash and high-tailed it for the uranium fields. We were gonna get rich and change our luck, which hadn't been so hot since our family broke up five years back.
more
Movie Connections:
References Island of Lost Women (1959) more
Soundtrack:
Bye Bye Love more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
23 out of 32 people found the following comment useful.
Concrete Is My Hometown, 13 July 2004
9/10
Author: Kelly (hisown) from Concrete, WA

Although I didn't live there during the time the movie was made I did venture up one afternoon to see what the town looked like as a movie set. Remarkably, the town looked much like I remembered from my childhood in the 60's and it was a nice journey back in time. While living in Arizona ('92-2001) I would frequently watch the movie when I was homesick; I enjoyed seeing my old town, my old schools & the surrounding scenic shots. I am now living back in Concrete and sadly, the town has wasted away to nothing; but with This Boy's Life I can go back for an hour or so to when it was a really great place to live and grow-up. The real-life Dwight has since died (everyone who knew him says he was just like book and movie portrayed him) and his real kids dispute the fact that he was an abusive father. Tobias Wolff is, of course, now a well-known writer but remembered as a nice, fun-loving kid who did pretty well weathering the constant stress at home while growing up. A number of Concrete residents still resent the portrayal of our town as a back-woods redneck community that harbors child-abusers.

Unfortunately, the truth hurts & that description pretty much sums up our little spot on the map. But we do have some of the most beautiful scenery in the world, lots of fresh air and no gangs so I guess we are better off than a lot of urban environments. Leo DiCaprio did a great job in his role. Ellen Barkin was memorable but I had a hard time feeling much empathy for her character. DiNiro was - well...DiNiro. Every role he touches becomes gold and this one will shine for a long time. This movie was highly underrated in my opinion (and not just because I was biased) and should have gotten more notice after it's release. You can still see it on the pay channels, occasionally on cable networks and of course, video & DVD. The sets, clothing, and music really do justice to the time. See it and you will never forget it! ***small tidbit: on my trip up to Concrete to visit the set I was happened upon DiNiro, DiCaprio & Barkin filming the scene where they were driving for the first time into Concrete. The local sheriff had closed off the highway until the scene was completed but because I knew the area and side rural roads I sneaked up to a spot where I could videotape the car with the three inside going down the highway. I DID get decent video of DiNiro "driving" the car and was thrilled!

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (66 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for This Boy's Life (1993)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Toby's gay friend... wacko-4
I HAVE A PICTURE OF THE REAL TOBIAS WOLFF! fiftieslove
funny little_drummer_boy15
What is the Movie That's Very Similar I am Thinking of? dfdfan110
De Niro's accent Figaro 1
A beautifull kiss TheJuggler
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Crutch Blow Mommie Dearest Heavenly Creatures American Beauty
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Biography section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.