About a Boy Review
by Karina Montgomery (karina AT cinerina DOT com)September 3rd, 2002
About A Boy
Matinee & Snacks
Did you think I had not seen this? A movie starring Hugh Grant based on a book by Nick Hornby? Perish the thought. As you may have surmised, I am still catching up. By now I am sure you have heard that this little Brit film with the fun Badly Drawn Boy soundtrack is super duper, you have rented it and loved it, and marveled at how a grown man like Hugh Grant can be so damned childlike and still sympathetic. No? Well what are you waiting for?
Nicholas Hoult is the other boy, besides Grant, in this film. He seeks out Hugh first under the erroneous misconception that the self-absorbed, independently wealthy womanizer is an adult. He needs an adult male in his life, or some kind of male touchstone in whom he can confide and seek shelter from the woman in his life, his mother. Hugh also lacks purpose, a touchstone, a woman, or even a soul on some occasions, and these two together find what they need. How does this unorthodox partnership survive the suspicions of modern day life? You'll just have to find out.
In the meantime, you will enjoy the wit and the insight through which so many people have connected with Nick Hornby. Mr. Hornby is the author of the books Fever Pitch and High Fidelity, both of which have also been adapted into films. These could be described as chick flicks for men. They involve positive, funny male navel gazing of the same depth and magnitude as that of Bridget Jones, and resonate as deeply with the gander set. About A Boy is just one more excellent entry to this stable. Peter Hedges, a screenwriter with the skill to balance emotion and drama and comedy on a thin edge (What's Eating Gilbert Grape), adapted this novel, with Chris and Paul Weitz as well. They are skilled with comedy (check out their respective filmographies); with a team like this, no wonder the film is so delightful even before you cast it.
Hugh Grant fans will appreciate this new flavor of Hugh; yes, he can't help being handsome and floppy, but his supreme, unwitting selfishness is a difficult character obstacle to overcome. With Hoult's on screen mother, the massively underappreciated Toni Collette, and Rachel Weisz, we come to find Grant sympathetic despite himself. It's a delicate balance and beautifully done. And it's funny!
Toni Collette is constantly relegated to the sidelines. She's a mom, she's a girlfriend, she's a best friend, she's always simply amazing to watch. Her acting is so real and so understated I am ashamed I have not seen Muriel's Wedding, but I will rectify that tonight. She has a complex character's shoes to fill in this film, and her entire plot line takes a backseat to Handsome Hugh so much (it being a man's film) you have to admire her all the more for being so memorable. Just see it, it's so worth every penny.
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These reviews (c) 2002 Karina Montgomery. Please feel free to forward but just credit the reviewer in the text. Thanks.
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