Featured Audience Ratings

• Bob S

  
  Rated this high cause I dig Badly Drawn Boy. And cause if must do a chick-flick, you could do a lot worse.

• Nicki M

  
  Nicey nice British comedy. Not even remotely believable in any way. It has not stood up to a rewatch. I remember initially enjoying this, but over 10 years later, the message is a bit irritating, and so is Toni Collette here. Still, if you don't dig too deep, it is enjoyable… More
  Nicey nice British comedy. Not even remotely believable in any way. It has not stood up to a rewatch. I remember initially enjoying this, but over 10 years later, the message is a bit irritating, and so is Toni Collette here. Still, if you don't dig too deep, it is enjoyable enough. Not a must see, but sugary fluff for the background.

• Lorenzo v

  
  <i>"I am an island. I am bloody Ibiza!"</i> Based on Nick Hornby's best-selling novel, About A Boy is the story of a cynical, immature young man who is taught how to act like a grown-up by a little boy. <center><font size=+2 face="Century… More
  <i>"I am an island. I am bloody Ibiza!"</i> Based on Nick Hornby's best-selling novel, About A Boy is the story of a cynical, immature young man who is taught how to act like a grown-up by a little boy. <center><font size=+2 face="Century Schoolbook"><b><u>REVIEW</u></b></font></center> I think I smiled all the way through `About a Boy,' a comic near-masterpiece derived from the best-selling novel by Nick Hornby. For the sake of accuracy, both the novel and the film should more rightly be titled `About Two Boys,' since the story focuses not only on 12-year old Marcus, but on 38-year old Will, a man totally dedicated to the proposition that any man who so desires can live quite happily on his own private little urban island, thank you very much. Will's `island' is his own London flat, which he has equipped with all the accoutrements of comfort and diversion that modern technology - in the form of computers, big screen TV's and DVD players - can afford. Who needs people when you have so much `stuff' to keep you content and occupied? Will thrives in his environment, much to the chagrin of his married couple friends who keep insisting that he must certainly be miserable without a wife and family to give his life meaning. `About a Boy' establishes a tone and sticks with it to the end. The screenplay by Peter Hedges, Chris Weitz and Paul Weitz (the latter two function as the film's directors as well) manages to take a potentially clichéd and predictable story and invest it with a warmth, wit and tenderness that are all-enveloping. The voice-over narration by both Will and Marcus, which introduces us to their characters and keeps us informed as to their mental progress throughout the film, is remarkably clever and droll. Yet, the characters never come across as smug, smart-alecky or flippant. Rather, they speak and behave in ways that are both believable and realistic. Hugh Grant gives his richest performance to date as Will, the man who refuses to grow up and assume the role of responsible adult, blithely unaware of the emotional depths that lie hidden under a surface of apathy and indifference. The superb Grant is more than matched by then newcomer Nicholas Hoult, an extraordinarily gifted young actor who doesn't look like the average `adorable' screen kid, and who makes Marcus into a very real, very likable and very sensitive young man. The remainder of the large cast is outstanding as well. Moreover, the film is very astute in its observation about just how easy technology has made it for us to isolate ourselves from one another.

• Jason S

  
  funny

• Melvin W

  
  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… More
  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 romantic 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.

• Bethany M

  
  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!

• Jameson W

  
  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… More
  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 Fiction). 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.

• Spencer S

  
  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… More
  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 and Nicholas Hoult who turned out really remarkable performances.

• Ross C

  
  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… More
  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 whilst remaining light and entertaining with characters, and a time, I can relate to. This movie grows on me more and more with time.

• KJ P

  
  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!

• Conner R

  
  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… More
  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 soundtrack, which is great.

• Carlos M

  
  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.

• Anthony L

  
  It's sweet in places but too corney for my liking. It's one film that I like Hugh Grant in but don't like Toni Collette, It's usually the other way round.

• Lady D

  
  A quirky film with some great characters. Toni Collette can look so different from one film to the next. This is certainly one of my favourite Hugh Grant films, as he?s slightly less typecast in this film than most of his others. There is a really nice underlying message to this… More
  A quirky film with some great characters. Toni Collette can look so different from one film to the next. This is certainly one of my favourite Hugh Grant films, as he?s slightly less typecast in this film than most of his others. There is a really nice underlying message to this film. Easy watching, fun in parts and emotive in others.

• Cassie H

  
  Very cute,and charming movie!!! I very much enjoyed it!

• Taylor B

  
  Dragged at times, but I enjoyed Hugh Grant's dry wit as well as the developing relationship in the movie. [voice over] Marcus: I thought my mom looked pretty good in her new sweater. [voice over] Will: What the hell is she wearing? She looks like a yeti.

• Lenny M

  
  Quaint

• Michael S

  
  Very funny and suprisingly heart warming.

• Alexander W

  
  Great film, poor acting, but decent script.

• danny d

  
  The most clever and interesting comedy Ive ever seen. the narration couldnt have been better and every performance was great. Subtle and brilliant.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings