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About a Boy (Full Screen Edition)

About a Boy (Full Screen Edition)

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: HILARIOUS
Review: If you like a funny movie with a good message, "About a Boy" is the perfect movie for you. With Hugh Grant as one of the leading roles, this movie couldn't be any funnier. If you are not English, and do not have an accent the movie isn't any less funny. With scenes, such as Marcus (the boy Will-played by Hugh Grant-meets) throwing a loaf of his mother's "health" bread to the ducks and killing one, the movie is hilarious. This movie is an awesome buy if you're looking to add another great movie to your collection.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: good flick
Review: Okay, I think that you can stand the fumbling bumblings of Hugh Grant in this movie. This movie is sweet and has a feel good message. I found it pretty enjoyable.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Just what the doctor ordered!
Review: I rented this because I wanted something to make me smile, Pirates of the Caribbean was out, and a rerun of Sense and Sensibility made me remember how much I always enjoy Hugh Grant. In short: my expectations were low. I'd read the book when it came out and very much enjoyed it, but expected a movie to take the premise and make it formulaic.

That premise: a likeable wastrel, a cad with no malice in him, a slacker with money, pretends to have a child so he can meet single mothers-- they are nurturing, sexy, and tend not to want long relationships. A variety of circumstances forces him into a big-brother-type relationship with a nerdy 12-year old with a suicidal hippy mother.

Now, the best thing about Nicholas' Hornby's boos isn't the situation-- it's the insight of the characters, the little thoughts they share that we all have. Well, like the earlier film of a Hornby book, High Fidelity, this movie captures many of them by using voiceovers-- and it works perfectly! How can you not like a character who while sincerely upset by having to go to the hospital following the hippy mother's suicide attempt, confides that driving fast behind the ambulance was brilliant?

Is there a driver among us who wouldn't secretly think the same thing? Sure, we wouldn't share it-- but that's what makes Will's character so likeable. He's basically an honest person-- he only lies to get girls. He is shallow, knows it, and is content.

Or so he thinks.

I also love that it's obvious that Will and the hippy mother will NOT miraculously hook up, that the nerdy boy transforms gradually-- no Pretty Woman-like miraculous makeover. The pair of cool trainers (sneakers) Will buys for him is stolen by bullies!

And yet, we do see the characters change.

I found I just didn't want the movie to end. It was charming, and smart. Hugh Grant plays these smart, charming, mischievous characters so perfectly. (He plays a similar purposeless-rich-fellow in Two Weeks Notice, which is also a charming movie, but more contrived than this one). There is real pain and loneliness in the movie, but they are not at odds with the laughs and the heart. Great ensemble acting all around. Most of the comedy stems from character, and the characters are recognizable-- flawed, human, lovable.

"No man is an island"-- was it said by John Donne? Jon Bon Jovi? Will wonders early on, watching "Who wants to be a millionaire." His character enjoys being an island that occasionally has ties to the mainland-- he considers himself Ibiza (he pronounces it, hilariously, Ibetha, using a Castilian lisp). Watching Will enjoy himself connecting to others is comic and yet also as satisfying as any AT&T commercial without being half as maudlin.

Just what the doctor ordered when you need a diversion that doesn't insult your intelligence; a real delight!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: good movie
Review: very realistic movie. the character of hugh grant reminds me much of myself. getting stuck in odd situations, preying on odd women, and not really having to answer to anyone. very good movie, very british movie.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: jokes, seriousness and good actors
Review: The film "About a boy" is the story of a superficial 36-year-old man named Will Freeman,who becomes a changed person because of a little boy named Marcus,is a excellent one with the right mixture of jokes,seriousness and good actors.
The book by Nick Hornby,which was the script for the production,is filmed in a very good way.
The main part of will Freeman is acted by Hugh Grand in an amusing way and other actors like Nicholas Hoult and Toni Collette,Marcus and his mother in the film,represent the characters,like they are described in the book!
This fact compensates the onlooker for a from scene to scene often confused camerawork.
The story of the film conzentrates on the decisive scenes of Nick Hornby`s pattern and differences in comparison to the book are allways justified choosen.
All in all can be said,the film is a worth seeing realization of Nick Hornby`s work.But the film is not a patch on the book!

by S.Rückmann

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Review by Juliane
Review: The film "About a boy" is a very amusing and interesting one.
The story, based on the novel of Nick Hornby, deals with the twelve-year-old boy Marcus who seems to be too old for his age and the (for his 36 years) too superficial and unsensible Will Freeman. Slowly they get to know each other and (ex)change their characters.
The both actors of these characters were a good choice. Hugh Grant, who plays Will, fits very well in his role, because he is young and seems to be easy-going. Marcus is presented very convincing, too. His mother Fiona is portrayed very funny and weird, like she should be. Unfortunately the character of the girl Ellie, a friend of Marcus, and her problems only play a much minor part than in the book. But more information about her would have blow up the contents of the movie. So the directors Chris and Paul Weitz have taken a good choice of the most important scenes, so that the main idea of Nick Hornby comes out clearly and the plot keeps exciting.
All in all the story is presented realistic and in a funny way. The film is entertaining and I would recommend it to everyone!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Film review
Review: The film "About a Boy" is based on a novel of Nick Hornby, who is a popular author in England.
At first, there are two different main characters, an adult, named Will, and a child, named Markus. The spectator gets a first impression about their totally different lives, attitudes and relationships to other persons.
Finally, Will and Markus meet each other and a real friendship develops
between them. In addition to this, both characters have their up and downs in their lives. Will is lovesick and Markus is not accepted by his classmates. At the end of the film there is a happy ending.
Of course, there are some differences between the book and the film, but the main contents are similar.
Especially the main actors are a good choice. Hugh Grant, who plays Will, identifies with the strange character very well. Markus also acts in a very realistic way.
I prophesy him a successful acting career.
Furthermore, the music is very convincing and tasteful, too. That is very decisive for the general impression because the music plays an important role in the film.
When I watched the film I often laughed because of the English humour although the story treats serious themes.
All in all, I would recommend the film because it is very entertaining.

by Franz A.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Realsitic film about the differences of cool and outstanding
Review: The film „About a boy" is a realistic film about the differences between rich and poor people and about cool people and outsiders. It is about a boy who changes his life from an outsider to a cool kid.
The film is about a boy, who is called Marcus and a man, who is called Will. It shows their lives and the change of their lives. At the beginning Marcus is an outsider without friends until he meets Will, who is played by Hugh Grant, who helps him develop into a cool person. Will is at the beginning a man, who is against kids and family and throughout the story he changes to a „normal" man until he meets Marcus.
The characters and settings are very well combinated with each other. The character Will plays his role brilliantly especially at the school, when he plays the guittar.
I think the film shows everything you want to see in such a film. It shows cool people, loving mothers and nearly a death. It shows a realistic way the meeting between rich and poor and cool and outstanding.
The only negative thing is that the film is different from the book especially at the end.
But all in all, it is a very good film that must be seen by everyone.
Alexander Freytag

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Film-review of "About a boy"
Review: The film "About a boy" is basing on the novel "About a boy", written by Nick Hornby, and takes place in the modern England.

The 12-years-old boy Marcus (Nicholas Hoult) lives with his mother Fiona (Toni Collette) in London and he has a life full of problems with his mother, his schoolmates, the first love, etc. And one day he met the 36-years-old Will (Hugh Grant). Will doesn't have a job and earns his money with the copyright of a Christmas song, his father had written, but he's exactly the one who Marcus needs to become more like a teenager than an adult. In the film begins now a special relationship between these two different characters and they become more and more friends.

The directors Chris and Paul Weitz developed a amusing story with a few melodramatic and portrays their characters very good. Furthermore they don't repeat the whole book and the "boring" scenes are cut out. The actors are chosen very well. Hugh Grant plays his typical role of a British guy with his own mistakes and the young Nicholas Hoult is support him perfectly. The choice of the other actors is well chosen too because they are performing the characters of the book great.

In conclusion I can say that "About a boy" is an entertaining movie for the whole family, with some critical statements against ignoring teenagers and force them to do things they don't want to do.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Hugh Grant as Will is fantastic
Review: The dead duck day from Yvonne Arndt

He is a genial writer. With every work he excels oneself. His novel have Nick Hornby be made as a worldwide famous author. He has inspired the film with his novels.
The film script of "About a boy" is based on a novel from Nick Hornby. The story looks how one of the partners is affected by the spiritual conversation of the other person.
The story is full of station.
Will Freeman is a human, who sees to it that his outward appearance is perfect all the time and who loves women. That is why he has a lot of women. Furthermore he hates kids. However he changes his mind when he gets to know Marcus.
Marcus is a young teenager who is not trendy, is bullied at school and his mother wants to kill herself. A friendship begins.
First Will Freeman is an egoistic person, but afterwards he is very warm hearted. Hugh Grant performs his part very well.
Marcus is mature for his age. Nicholas Hoult plays his part convincingly.
All in all, the director creates an amusing film who is especially family-friendly. The Film is easy to understand for kids. Especially worth seeing is Hugh Grant as Will Freeman.
Yet, the book convinces more, course of the far-reading action.


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