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IMDbPro

This Boy's Life

  • 19931993
  • RR
  • 1h 55m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
54K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,546
449
Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Ellen Barkin in This Boy's Life (1993)
Home Video Trailer from Warner Home Video
Play trailer1:59
3 Videos
45 Photos
BiographyDrama
The story about the relationship between a rebellious 1950s teenager and his abusive stepfather, based on the memoirs of writer and literature Professor Tobias Wolff.The story about the relationship between a rebellious 1950s teenager and his abusive stepfather, based on the memoirs of writer and literature Professor Tobias Wolff.The story about the relationship between a rebellious 1950s teenager and his abusive stepfather, based on the memoirs of writer and literature Professor Tobias Wolff.
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
54K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,546
449
    • Michael Caton-Jones
    • Tobias Wolff(book)
    • Robert Getchell(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Robert De Niro
    • Leonardo DiCaprio
    • Ellen Barkin
    • Michael Caton-Jones
    • Tobias Wolff(book)
    • Robert Getchell(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Robert De Niro
    • Leonardo DiCaprio
    • Ellen Barkin
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 105User reviews
    • 47Critic reviews
    • 60Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards

    Videos3

    This Boy's Life
    Trailer 1:59
    Watch This Boy's Life
    This Boy's Life
    Trailer 0:31
    Watch This Boy's Life
    One Robert De Niro Scene Had a Huge Impact on Carla Gugino
    Video 2:29
    Watch One Robert De Niro Scene Had a Huge Impact on Carla Gugino

    Photos45

    Leonardo DiCaprio in This Boy's Life (1993)
    Leonardo DiCaprio in This Boy's Life (1993)
    Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen Barkin, and Tobias Wolff in This Boy's Life (1993)
    This Boy's Life (1993)
    This Boy's Life (1993)
    Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Ellen Barkin in This Boy's Life (1993)
    Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Ellen Barkin in This Boy's Life (1993)
    Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Ellen Barkin in This Boy's Life (1993)
    Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Ellen Barkin in This Boy's Life (1993)
    Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Ellen Barkin in This Boy's Life (1993)
    Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Ellen Barkin in This Boy's Life (1993)
    This Boy's Life (1993)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Robert De Niro
    Robert De Niro
    • Dwight
    Leonardo DiCaprio
    Leonardo DiCaprio
    • Toby
    Ellen Barkin
    Ellen Barkin
    • Caroline
    Jonah Blechman
    Jonah Blechman
    • Arthur Gayle
    Eliza Dushku
    Eliza Dushku
    • Pearl
    Chris Cooper
    Chris Cooper
    • Roy
    Carla Gugino
    Carla Gugino
    • Norma
    Zachary Ansley
    Zachary Ansley
    • Skipper
    • (as Zack Ansley)
    Tracey Ellis
    Tracey Ellis
    • Kathy
    Kathy Kinney
    Kathy Kinney
    • Marian
    Robert Zameroski
    Robert Zameroski
    • Arch Cook
    • (as Bobby Zameroski)
    Tobey Maguire
    Tobey Maguire
    • Chuck Bolger
    Tristan Tait
    Tristan Tait
    • Jerry Huff
    Travis MacDonald
    Travis MacDonald
    • Psycho
    Richard Liss
    • A & P Manager
    Michael Bacall
    Michael Bacall
    • Terry Taylor
    Adam Sneller
    • Terry Silver
    Gerrit Graham
    Gerrit Graham
    • Mr. Howard
      • Michael Caton-Jones
      • Tobias Wolff(book)
      • Robert Getchell(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      When Robert De Niro saw Leonardo DiCaprio's acting in this movie, he called Martin Scorsese to tell him about the kid and he must check him out. Scorsese has since said that this was very unusual as De Niro wouldn't normally have this level of praise for a fellow actor.
    • Goofs
      In the film, the children of Concrete go to high school in Chinook, as there is no high school in Concrete. In fact, Chinook is 268 miles away from Concrete, on the opposite end of the state.
    • Quotes

      Dwight Hansen: I know a thing or two about a thing or two!

    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Cop and a Half/The Adventures of Huck Finn/Jack the Bear/The Opposite Sex How to Live with Them/Intervista (1993)
    • Soundtracks
      Let's Get Away from It All
      Written by Tom Adair and Matt Dennis

      Performed by Frank Sinatra

      Courtesy of Capitol Records

      By arrangement with CEMA Special Markets

    User reviews105

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10
    Blockbuster Rental February, 1999
    I liked this film. I was able to relate not only to the young boy, Tobias Wolff, but also the stepfather Dwight. This film brought back memories of myself growing up when I was that age, as well as memories of being an errant father myself raising a son.

    After viewing the movie twice, I checked out the book at the library and read it.

    I feel that the film followed the storyline of the book quite well. Robert DeNiro did a superb job of protraying Dwight, as did Leonardo DiCaprio protraying Jack.

    I recommend viewing this film by anyone who is raising a teenage son, so as to give some insight to the pitfalls that adolescence will challenge a father. Don't wait until after you have already raised your son, as then it is too late to benefit from the knowledge you will gain from this excellent story.
    helpful•39
    14
    • Marcus-39
    • Mar 4, 1999

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    Photos

    Details

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    • Release date
      • April 23, 1993 (United States)
      • United States
      • English
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Concrete, Washington, USA
    • Production companies
      • Knickerbocker Films
      • Polyphony Digital
      • Warner Bros.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • 1 hour 55 minutes
      • Color
      • Dolby Stereo

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