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This Boy's Life (1993)

R | | Biography, Drama | 23 April 1993 (USA)
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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.

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Writers:

(book), (screenplay)

Stars:

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2 wins & 2 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
... Dwight
... Caroline
... Toby
... Arthur Gayle
... Pearl
... Roy
... Norma
... Skipper (as Zack Ansley)
... Kathy
... Marian
Robert Zameroski ... Arch Cook (as Bobby Zameroski)
... Chuck Bolger
Tristan Tait ... Jerry Huff
Travis MacDonald ... Psycho
Richard Liss ... A & P Manager
See full cast »
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Storyline

In 1957, a son and mother flee the East and an abusive boyfriend to find a new life, and end up in Seattle, where the mother meets a polite garage mechanic. The boy continually gets into trouble by hanging out with the wrong crowd. The mom marries the mechanic, but they soon find out that he's an abusive and unreasoning alcoholic, and they struggle to maintain hope in an impossible situation as the boy grows up with plans to escape the small town by any means possible. Based on a true story by Tobias Wolff. Written by Ed Sutton <esutton@mindspring.com>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

anal rape | marital abuse | mechanic | small town | gay teenager | See All (45) »

Taglines:

A true story based on the award-winning book by Tobias Wolff. See more »

Genres:

Biography | Drama

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong language and sexuality | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

23 April 1993 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

A Vida Deste Rapaz  »

Filming Locations:

 »
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Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$74,425, 11 April 1993, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$4,104,962
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Production Co:

,  »
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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

(Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

In the movie and book, Toby's stepfather is named Dwight Hansen. In reality, it was Robert Thompson. See more »

Goofs

When they're all having dinner after Caroline wins the shooting contest, Skipper asks Pearl for the salt and pepper and you can just about see that Pearl is not wearing glasses. But in the next shot of her, she is wearing glasses. See 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.
See more »

Connections

References The Searchers (1956) See more »

Soundtracks

Magic Moments
Written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David
Performed by Perry Como
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User Reviews

Leo's movie
3 December 1998 | by – See all my reviews

The title got it right. This is Leonardo's movie through and through. You can't wait for him to get away from his ineffectual Mother and his Stepfather. Not many young actors could hold their own with DeNiro, but Leonardo succeeds beautifully. See this movie if you still have any doubts about his acting ability; for once, the 12-year-old girls got it right by anointing him the actor of this generation.
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