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Hugh Grant, Nicholas Hoult, Toni Collette, Rachel Weisz, Isabel Brook ... see more see more... , Victoria Smurfit , Sharon Small , Robert De Niro , Ben Ridgeway , Natalia Tena , Nicholas Hutchison , Jordan Cook

London's most frequently eligible bachelor gets some lessons in growing up from a maladroit 12-year-old boy in this third big-screen adaptation of a Nick Hornby novel, directed and co-written by sibli... read more read more...ngs Chris and Paul Weitz of American Pie fame. About a Boy concerns the parallel coming-of-age stories of the thirtysomething Will (Hugh Grant), a layabout "serial nice guy" living a posh, carefree lifestyle off his deceased father's fortune; and the preteen Marcus (Nicholas Hoult), a bright but awkward youth who's tired of his mom Fiona's (Toni Collette) depressed, boyfriend-less state. Their paths collide when Will, deciding that single mothers are the easiest romantic conquests on the dating scene, fabricates a two-year-old son and joins a group called S.P.A.T. (Single Parents Alone Together). Marcus is wise to Will's scheme, however, and through some incessant pestering and blackmail, he contrives for Will to date Fiona. Though Will doesn't hit it off immediately with either Marcus or his mother, he gradually begins to open up to the people around him -- so much so that he attracts the attention of another attractive single mom (Rachel Weisz). A U.S./U.K. co-production of Robert DeNiro's Tribeca Films and Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner's Working Title (the company responsible for the Grant-related Four Weddings and a Funeral and Bridget Jones's Diary), About a Boy was co-written by What's Eating Gilbert Grape creator Peter Hedges. ~ Michael Hastings, Rovi

Flixster Users

51% liked it

29,749,465 ratings

Critics

93% liked it

162 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 41 min.

Directed by: Chris Weitz, Paul Weitz

Release Date: May 17, 2002

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DVD Release Date: January 14, 2003

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Stats: 791,051 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (791,051)

  • brooklynspo
    April 2, 2007
    brooklynspo
    Rated this high cause I dig Badly Drawn Boy. And cause if must do a chick-flick, you could do a lot worse.
  • superclerk25
    March 19, 2012
    superclerk25
    funny
  • blkbomb
    July 1, 2011
    blkbomb
    Christine: You will end up childless and alone.
    Will: Well, fingers crossed, yeah.

    I was really surprised with just how good this movie was despite the rave reviews. Since it's a labeled a "Romantic Comedy;" I didn't have very high expectations. It's not the standard, generic ... read moreromantic comedy and it's really not that romantic. It's not about Will getting the girl, but about a kid showing him how empty his life really is and helping him make more of it, which allows him to get into a real relationship. It doesn't show us the same garbage that most romantic comedies just recycle into different settings. It's a fresh and new experience, so don't let the rom-com label keep you from seeing this movie.
  • murphmann93
    June 23, 2011
    murphmann93
    I loved this film. Hugh Grant is my secret crush and his acting isn't as bad as people say. Average chick flick really, but a great film. A definite must see!
  • jamers2011
    April 13, 2011
    jamers2011
    Great film! Driven by great performances and a touching story, this dark comedy delivers an emotional dramatic punch that is impossible to not fall in love with. I love this film...it falls into that drama/comedy genre that I absolutely love (Garden State, Juno, Stranger Than Fic... read moretion).

    The film follows an unemployed and selfish Will Freeman, played by Hugh Grant. Through a series of tragic life events, he comes in contact with a boy, Marcus, played Nicholas Hoult. From here, Will discovers that there is so much more to life than what he exposes himself to.

    I'm not a big Hugh Grant fan; I've seen many of his films and liked many them, but there's always been something about him that annoys me. Here, he gives a fantastic performance. He plays a selfish, emotionless, introvert who, at times, I hated. He's such a jerk in the film, but all the while Grant shows the character's human side, too. Toni Collette also gives a great performance as Marcus' single, depressed mother. She has many emotional scenes and adds another dramatic level to the film. Nicholas Hoult, as Marcus, gives a convincing performance too. Although she only has a small role, the addition of Rachel Weisz to the supporting cast is very nice.

    Overall, I find this film to be very, very strong. It's well acted, well written, touching, sad, funny, smart, different...it really has it all. I completely love this film! I recommend it to everyone.
  • FrizzDrop
    December 22, 2010
    FrizzDrop
    Another Hugh Grant film where he plays a self possessed ego maniac who is redeemed and made viable to society. That would have been fine by me if the character wasn't so annoying, the premise without merit, and the depressive state so very....depressive. Kudos to Toni Collette an... read mored Nicholas Hoult who turned out really remarkable performances.
  • RossCollinsUK
    July 10, 2010
    RossCollinsUK
    Around the turn of the millennium there were a series of excellent British romantic dramas, most with Hugh Grant. This was perhaps the last of them and one of best, with music by Badly Drawn Boy during their brief spell of fame. It tells a story that is both serious & touching wh... read moreilst remaining light and entertaining with characters, and a time, I can relate to. This movie grows on me more and more with time.
  • fb733768972
    January 27, 2010
    fb733768972
    I don't get what is liked about this movie! I did not laugh once! Only at Hugh Grants stupid accent! This movie is stupid!
  • ythelastman89
    November 29, 2009
    ythelastman89
    I actually found this to be a great movie. With Hugh Grant's reputation, one might expect this to be a romantic comedy when it's actually far from it. It's a really different sort of father/son type of movie that is extremely deep and emotional. It also has a Badly Drawn Boy soun... read moredtrack, which is great.
  • blacksheepboy
    October 26, 2009
    blacksheepboy
    Hugh Grant is very charming and adorable in his customary cynicism, and it is always great to see a smart comedy in which the flawed anti-hero doesn't easily change into a perfect human being.

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Critic Reviews

Derek Elley
February 3, 2009
Derek Elley, Variety

Pleasant and engaging, rather than laugh-out-loud funny or emotionally involving. Full Review

J. R. Jones
February 3, 2009
J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader

Few movies have made better use of Hugh Grant's shallow charm and amused befuddlement than this funny and well-paced adaptation of Nick Hornby's best-selling second novel. Full Review

David Ansen
November 1, 2007
David Ansen, Newsweek

The first big studio movie of 2002 I didn't want to end. Full Review

Mark Caro
July 20, 2002
Mark Caro, Chicago Tribune

The movie occasionally strains for crowd-pleasing moments as it pumps up the drama toward the end, but it more than earns our indulgence. Full Review

Andrew Sarris
May 30, 2002
Andrew Sarris, New York Observer

In the end, the film comes over as a messy delight, thanks to the skill, generosity and good-sport, punching-bag panache of Mr. Grant's performance. Full Review

Richard Roeper
May 22, 2002
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper

I loved the novel and I love what they did with it. Full Review

Peter Rainer
May 19, 2002
Peter Rainer, New York Magazine

About a Boy is sophisticated and nuanced, and every character is bursting with emotional contradictions. Full Review

Desson Thomson
May 17, 2002
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

Hilarious, touching and wonderfully dyspeptic. Full Review

Ann Hornaday
May 17, 2002
Ann Hornaday, Washington Post

A hip, whip-smart entertainment. Full Review

Claudia Puig
May 17, 2002
Claudia Puig, USA Today

Most of us have uttered this familiar refrain: The movie is never as good as the book. About a Boy flies in the face of that maxim. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Facts

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    • Marcus: [to Will before going to sing in show] What are you doing here?
    • Will Freeman: Well, I heard you were about to commit social suicide so I thought I'd just drop by, you know
    • Will Freeman: Every man is an island.
    • Marcus: You don't give a shit about anyone and no one gives a shit about you!
    • Marcus: A little. It's by black people mostly. And they're pretty angry most of the time. But sometimes they just want to have sex.
    • Fiona: (talking to Marcus) When you sing it brings sunshine and happiness into my heart.
    • Marcus: Suddenly I realized, two people isn't enough. You need backup. If you're only two people, and someone drops off the edge, then you're on your own. Two isn't a large enough number. You need three at least.
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About a Boy Trivia

  • Novelist Nick Hornby wrote the novel, "High Fidelity". What movie starring Hugh Grant was also a Nick Hornby Novel?  Answer »
  • In the movie "About a Boy," how does Ned accidentally kill the duck at the pond?  Answer »
  • What did Marcus kill with his mum's loaf of bread in About A Boy?  Answer »
  • In About a Boy, Hugh Grant's character Will tells a serious lie to achieve a goal. Name the lie and the goal.  Answer »
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