About a Boy (2002)

A box-office smash in England, About a Boy went on to charm the world as another fine adaptation (following High Fidelity) of a popular Nick Hornby novel. While High Fidelity transplanted its London charm to Chicago, this irresistible comedy was directed by Americans Chris and Paul Weitz (American Pie) with its British pedigree intact. Better yet, Hugh Grant is perfectly cast as Will, a self-absorbed trust-fund slacker who tries to improve his romantic odds by preying on desperate single mothers. His cynical strategy backfires when he recruits the misfit son (Nicholas Hoult) of a suicidal mother (Toni Collette) to pose as his own son, thus proving his parental prowess to his latest single-mom target (Rachel Weisz). The kid has a warming effect on this ultimate cad, and what could have been a sappy tearjerker turns into a subtle, frequently hilarious portrait of familial quirks and elevated self-esteem. From start to finish, it's a genuine treat. --Jeff Shannon Amazon.com

 Surprisingly Enjoyable
I had never heard of this movie, but I was sick and looking for something I could rent and watch immediately without leaving my apartment. This movie has a refreshingly different plot (not totally unique, but different enough from many contemporary movies)...and some nice character development. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it, as long as you don't mind happy endings ;) February 17, 2008

 Hugh Grant shines...
...as a curmudgeon with a heart. A must see! June 16, 2007

 One of my Top 10 Favorite movies of all time
Despite the fact I am emotionally shallow and somewhat stupid, I think this movie is brilliant and a classic. May 29, 2007

 Touching, but lacking
About a boy is a nice, and touching movie. There is some great comedy too. I am a huge Grant fan so it's would almost be impossible for me not to like something he's in. He's so endearing.
However, I guess I am not a Collette fan because I almost never like anything she's in. I don't really get her comedy, and find her odd and misaplaced in most films. Her character her makes me somewhat uncomfortable for some reason. Mostly, the movie just moves rather slow.
It's still a feel-good film and I am glad I saw it. Just wouldn't buy it. May 28, 2007

 One of the best films! So rare with the junk that's coming out today!
This movie is SMART, sweet, cute, and HILLARIOUS, with great music, great acting, especially Toni Collette (underrated!), and the boy who plays Marcus. I think he has the potential to do big things! Buy this movie-trust me, you'll love it!!! One note--This was a book first and I have it. If you read the book it has a lot of other parts that are missing from the movie and that are hillarious. So, if they didn't cut those parts this movie would have been beyond HILLARIOUS! A big part that is missing from the movie is the bully Ely, who Marcus befriends. I think in the book, they run away after Ely hears of Kurt Cobain's suicide. There's just so many funny parts that weren't included, so read the book too! Nick Hornby makes us laugh while teaching us about life. He is a comic genius! May 12, 2007

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