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About a Boy

  • 20022002
  • 1212
  • 1h 41m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
182K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,418
134
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Hugh Grant and Nicholas Hoult in About a Boy (2002)
ComedyDramaRomance
A cynical, immature young man is taught how to act like a grown-up by a little boy.A cynical, immature young man is taught how to act like a grown-up by a little boy.A cynical, immature young man is taught how to act like a grown-up by a little boy.
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
182K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,418
134
  • Directors
    • Chris Weitz
    • Paul Weitz
  • Writers
    • Nick Hornby(novel)
    • Peter Hedges(screenplay)
    • Chris Weitz(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Hugh Grant
    • Nicholas Hoult
    • Toni Collette
Top credits
  • Directors
    • Chris Weitz
    • Paul Weitz
  • Writers
    • Nick Hornby(novel)
    • Peter Hedges(screenplay)
    • Chris Weitz(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Hugh Grant
    • Nicholas Hoult
    • Toni Collette
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 442User reviews
    • 154Critic reviews
    • 75Metascore
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 11 wins & 30 nominations total

    Photos98

    Nicholas Hoult in About a Boy (2002)
    Hugh Grant, Toni Collette, and Nicholas Hoult in About a Boy (2002)
    Hugh Grant in About a Boy (2002)
    Rachel Weisz in About a Boy (2002)
    Hugh Grant and Nicholas Hoult in About a Boy (2002)
    Hugh Grant and Rachel Weisz in About a Boy (2002)
    Hugh Grant and Rachel Weisz in About a Boy (2002)
    Hugh Grant in About a Boy (2002)
    Toni Collette in About a Boy (2002)
    Hugh Grant in About a Boy (2002)
    Nicholas Hoult in About a Boy (2002)
    Hugh Grant and Rachel Weisz in About a Boy (2002)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Hugh Grant
    Hugh Grant
    • Will Freemanas Will Freeman
    Nicholas Hoult
    Nicholas Hoult
    • Marcus Breweras Marcus Brewer
    Toni Collette
    Toni Collette
    • Fiona Breweras Fiona Brewer
    Sharon Small
    Sharon Small
    • Christineas Christine
    Madison Cook
    • Imogenas Imogen
    Jordan Cook
    • Imogenas Imogen
    Nicholas Hutchison
    • Johnas John
    Ryan Speechley
    • Barneyas Barney
    Joseph Speechley
    • Barneyas Barney
    Natalia Tena
    Natalia Tena
    • Ellieas Ellie
    • (as Nat Gastiain Tena)
    Laura Kennington
    • Ellie's Friendas Ellie's Friend
    Tanika Swaby
    • Ellie's Friendas Ellie's Friend
    Peter McNicholl
    • Ellie's Friendas Ellie's Friend
    Chris Webster
    Chris Webster
    • Ellie's Friendas Ellie's Friend
    • (as Christopher Webster)
    Ben Ridgeway
    • Leeas Lee
    Jack Warren
    • Lee's Sidekickas Lee's Sidekick
    Russell Barr
    • Maitre D'as Maitre D'
    Isabel Brook
    • Angieas Angie
    • Directors
      • Chris Weitz
      • Paul Weitz
    • Writers
      • Nick Hornby(novel)
      • Peter Hedges(screenplay)
      • Chris Weitz(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Twelve year old Marcus Brewer lives with his chronically depressed single mother, Fiona Brewer. Both Fiona and Marcus beat to their own respective drummers. Marcus will do whatever he can to make his depressed mother happy, even if it causes himself grief. As such, he realizes that he is perceived as different than most kids, as even the self-professed weird kids don't want to hang out with him as he is the target of bullying. Part of the taunts against him are the fact that he sings and speaks to himself without even realizing that he is doing it. Meanwhile, thirty-eight year old Will Freeman is a slacker who has lived comfortably off the royalties of a song written by his deceased father, and as such has never had to work a day in his life. He is a solitary man who places himself as the first and only priority in life. He comes across the idea that dating single moms meets his selfish carnal needs. It is in this capacity that Will meets Marcus, as one of Will's single mother conquests, Suzie, is friends with the Brewers. Trying to escape his life but wanting Will to date Fiona, Marcus infiltrates Will's life, much to Will's chagrin. Will slowly begins to realize that Marcus is more than just a nuisance, but rather someone who needs some guidance navigating through the trials of adolescence and the trials of dealing with a suicidal mother, and perhaps he can be a small part of providing that direction. Conversely, Marcus may be able to show Will the path to becoming a real adult. —Huggo
    single motherbullyingdatingselfishnesssupermarket164 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Growing up has nothing to do with age.
    • Genres
      • Comedy
      • Drama
      • Romance
    • Certificate
      • 12
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The shot of Will reflected in the mirror when he is depressed was actually taken when Hugh Grant was taking a break. The directors noticed him doing this and from behind he looked depressed, so they shot it without him knowing.
    • Goofs
      The box of the Sony Walkman CD player that Will gives to Marcus can be seen on the coffee table before Marcus has unwrapped it.
    • Quotes

      Christine: You will end up childless and alone.

      Will: Well, fingers crossed, yeah.

    • Alternate versions
      UK airings on ITV2 cut out all the profanity and swearing to make a clean film language-wise. When the film appeared on Film4 in pre-watershed airings a large chunk of the profanity was retained save for the stronger words and certain phrases.
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: The Best Films of 2002 (2003)
    • Soundtracks
      Something To Talk About
      By Badly Drawn Boy (as Gough)

      Performed by Badly Drawn Boy

      Courtesy of XL Recordings Ltd.

    User reviews442

    Review
    Top review
    Yet another spot-on Hornby adaptation
    Selfish, self-centered rich `kid' Will Freeman lives alone as an island in London, living off royalties from his father's record. When a new dating trick sees him targeting single mothers because they are easier to dump he unwittingly gets mixed up with Marcus. Marcus is a 12 year old who is bullied at school because of his hippy life style (forced on him by his mother) and struggles at home with his depressed, suicidal mother. At first he sees himself helping his mum by getting Will to like her but gradually Marcus and Will get used to each other and have lessons that both can learn.

    Following the steaming success of High Fidelity, another Hornby book makes the transition. However credit should be given for setting the movie in England and not moving it somewhere else (cooler). This however is probably due to the lead being English and very bankable!

    The story is of course about blokes….and blokes problems – this is Hornby after all. The plot is simple but the fact that it done with a great deal of wit makes it come across very easily. Occasionally the mix of heavy subjects (Marcus's home life) with the comedy of Will's life is a little uneasy, but after a while it mixes better. The story is pretty revealing – I can see a lot of myself in Will, as many men will, and it is involving then to see Marcus teach him things about life. However, saying that, the best thing about this is the comedy – when Will is involved it is nearly always laugh out loud funny – and that's most of the time.

    The directors deal with this film really well – they focus on Grants strengths and also use several really cool visual things to add to the comedy – like quick cuts and freeze frame – but not to the point of annoyance. Surprising that these guys did American Pie! Not the most subtle or clever of comedies…

    Grant is excellent here – he easily handles the emotional side of the film and the comedy, but it's in the comedy he excels. His face plays out as many jokes as his words and he is indeed a master at playing this character. However here he has to work harder than when he does his usual `English-fop' stuff, because Will is selfish and not immediately likeable…..I must admit that at the start I struggled to get into the film because I hate these people who spend their time in Notting Hill cafes living off inheritances etc – so it's a credit to Grant that he carries it off. Hoult is not as good – he has too much weight to carry. Hoult has to manage the whole emotional side of the film and at times he can't convince. Collette is good as Fiona but again suffers from not having any of the comedy side of the film. Rachel Weisz was good in a small role but as far as I'm concerned – if she was making this, then she wasn't making another rubbish Mummy film!

    Overall this is a successful adaptation of the book. The emotional side and the comedy at times don't sit well together and at times it all feels very lightweight, but ultimately it all comes together. Grant is excellent and excels himself here – when he's on screen the film is hilarious and moves fluidly. Unfortunately it slightly highlights the weaknesses of those around him.
    helpful•55
    18
    • bob the moo
    • Apr 18, 2002

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 26, 2002 (United Kingdom)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
      • France
      • Germany
    • Official site
      • Universal Pictures (United States)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Мій хлопчик
    • Filming locations
      • Lady Margaret Road, Kentish Town, London, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • Universal Pictures
      • StudioCanal
      • Tribeca Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $30,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $41,385,278
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $8,557,630
      • May 19, 2002
    • Gross worldwide
      • $130,549,455
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 41 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1
      • 2.35 : 1

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