Man and Boy (TV 2002)

When television executive Harry has a one-night-stand, his wife Gina walks out on him, leaving Harry to look after the couple's young son.

Director:

Simon Curtis

Writers:

Kevin Hood (adaptation), Tony Parsons (novel)

Stars:

Ioan Gruffudd, Neil Conrich, Natasha Little

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ioan Gruffudd	...	Harry Silver
Neil Conrich	...	Car salesman
Natasha Little	...	Gina Silver
Dominic Howell	...	Pat Silver
Rebecca Craig	...	Secretary
Ian McShane	...	Marty Mann
Nicholas Lamont	...	Condom Man (as Nick Lamont)
Shelley Conn	...	Jasmin
Bill Buckhurst	...	Cliff (as William Buckhurst)
Lewis Drewe	...	Runner
Robyn Hitchcock	...	Glenn
Pauline Collins	...	Betty Silver
Jack Shepherd	...	Paddy Silver
Terri Dumont	...	Sally
Cian Barry	...	Steve

Storyline

When television executive Harry has a one-night-stand, his wife Gina walks out on him, leaving Harry to look after the couple's young son.

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Plot Keywords:

based on novel

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 March 2002 (UK)

Also Known As:

Apa és fia

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Color:

Color

User Reviews

Witty adaptation of best-selling novel.

In a departure from form Ioan Gruffudd plays Harry, a modern Londoner heading for a premature middle-age crisis, which manifests itself when he buys a jaguar and has a one-night stand with a co-worker. Harry's wife Gina discovers his infidelity and rather abruptly ditches him and moves to Japan, leaving their son Pat in the dubious care of her hippy father. Harry looses his job as a TV producer and decides to retrieve Pat and throw himself into the role of the single parent. The interaction between Gruffudd and Dominic Howell is perfect and very believable, in contrast the relationship with his parents seemed rather forced. In an attempt to replicate the novel, Harry's thoughts are voiced by means of a wry and occasionally moving voiceover, which is both amusing and distracting. Regrettably, Ioan Gruffudd's natural Welsh intonation is replaced by a wavering London accent, which at times leaves him sounding a little flat. However a handful of chest shots should keep the majority of his fans happy. It was certainly a brave attempt to break the `Hornblower' mode, but it is difficult to see Ioan as a less noble and moral character. Additionally, he can't possibly be thirty! I found Gina deeply unsympathetic, the American waitress Syd, in a similar situation, was more favourable. The tone varied between poignant and hilarious, the character of the embittered lawyer was particularly entertaining. Apparently this novel is to be re-adapted for the US market. This is unfortunate, as the London setting seems intrinsic to the story, also although a US audience would appreciate the son's obsession with Star Wars, perhaps not with the same dry humour. Certainly the character of Marty, the obnoxious chat-show host will be familiar the world-over!