ABOUT A BOY

Starring: Hugh Grant, Toni Collette, Rachael Wiesz, Nicholas Hoult and Victoria Smurfit
Directors: Paul Weitz and Chris Weitz
Running Time: 110 mins
Certificate: 15

Out to buy on DVD 2nd December

Will (Grant) at 38 years old, describes himself as an island. Life is just about him. He doesn't need a job, a relationship or any responsibility of any kind. Marcus (Hoult) at 12 years old, describes himself as the school joke. He is constantly picked on at school, he has no friends and he Mother (Collette) is needs more looking after than he does. The two are thrown together by a life-changing event and over time Marcus thinks Will could be his new father figure and Will thinks he can use Marcus to date single mother Rachel (Weisz).

Based on the best selling book by Nick Hornby (High Fidelity and Fever Pitch) this is a comedy-drama that the British always do really well. As with Bridget Jones's Diary, Notting Hill and Four Weddings and a Funeral, this is the big British movie for the year that delivers the laughs and the feel-good factor in droves.

Hugh Grant moves away from his usual bumbling, floppy haired, upper class Brit that has become his trademark and delivers a performance that could reshape his career. He is exceptional in the role of Will and watching his journey from a shallow, self-centred loner to a person who desperately needs company is by far his best ever performance. Special mention should also go to newcomer Nicholas Hoult, who makes the character of Marcus very genuine and shares the limelight with Grant like he is a seasoned professional. Where do they keep finding these talented kids?

The supporting cast is a tad underused with Toni Collette's character very under developed and Rachael Wiesz just picking up a paycheque to look beautiful. But this is Grant's and Hoult's movie and their two characters more than make up for the shortcomings.

With a great soundtrack and score by Badly Drawn Boy and direction by Paul and Chris Weitz, of American Pie fame, that keeps the story from falling into over sentimentality, this movie is a treat and one you will end up recommending to everyone.

Feature Commentary with Directors Chris and Paul Weitz, 'Making Of' Featurette, Deleted Scenes with Directors' Commentary, Badly Drawn Boy Music Videos, Interview with Badly Drawn Boy and DVD-Rom features


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