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)
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) -- MyMovieScripts.com - Trailer (Flash)

IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
7.3/10   10,606 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 14% 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:
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:
Absorbing, Shocking Movie 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:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Tobey Maguire first auditioned for the part of Toby but director Michael Caton-Jones thought he wasn't right for the role. Leonardo DiCaprio, who is close friends with Tobey Maguire, still wanted him to be apart of the film so he got him the role of Toby's friend Chuck Bolger. 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:
Features "Adventures of Superman" (1952) more
Soundtrack:
Twitchy more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
23 out of 24 people found the following comment useful.
Absorbing, Shocking Movie, 19 July 2002
8/10
Author: jmorrison-2 from Farmington Hills, MI

A highly disturbing film about the violent relationship between a disturbed man, and his adolescent step-son. Remarkable performances from Robert DeNiro and Leonardo DiCaprio. The desperation and hatred is clearly conveyed by both of them; to the point that it's downright scary.

Deniro's character is so seemingly normal, and yet so menacing and terrifying. Another remarkable acting performance from him.

The taunting of the step-son, and the violent confrontations between the two are ugly, yet mesmerizing. You feel the claustrophobic feeling the boy must have had living in this small town, trapped into this relationship. Some of this is very tough to watch.

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.