About a Boy (2002)

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

Directors:

Chris Weitz, Paul Weitz

Writers:

Nick Hornby (novel), Peter Hedges (screenplay),

Stars:

Hugh Grant, Nicholas Hoult, Sharon Small

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 11 wins & 20 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Hugh Grant	...	Will Freeman
Nicholas Hoult	...	Marcus Brewer
Sharon Small	...	Christine
Madison Cook	...	Imogen
Jordan Cook	...	Imogen
Nicholas Hutchison	...	John
Ryan Speechley	...	Barney
Joseph Speechley	...	Barney
Toni Collette	...	Fiona Brewer
Natalia Tena	...	Ellie (as Nat Gastiain Tena)
Laura Kennington	...	Ellie's Friend
Tanika Swaby	...	Ellie's Friend
Peter McNicholl	...	Ellie's Friend
Christopher Webster	...	Ellie's Friend
Ben Ridgeway	...	Lee

Storyline

Twelve year old Marcus Brewer lives with his chronically depressed single mother, Fiona Brewer. Both Fiona and Marcus beat to their own respective drummers. Marcus will do whatever he can to make his depressed mother happy, even if it causes himself grief. As such, he realizes that he is perceived as different than most kids, as even the self-professed weird kids don't want to hang out with him as he is the target of bullying. Part of the taunts against him are the fact that he sings and speaks to himself without even realizing that he is doing it. Meanwhile, thirty-eight year old Will Freeman is a slacker who has lived comfortably off the royalties of a song written by his deceased father, and as such has never had to work a day in his life. He is a solitary man who places himself as the first and only priority in life. He comes across the idea that dating single moms meets his selfish carnal needs. It is in this capacity that Will meets Marcus, as one of Will's single mother ...

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Plot Keywords:

boy | friend | single mother | imaginary son | single father | 

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Taglines:

Growing up has nothing to do with age.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for brief strong language and some thematic elements

Details

Official Sites:

Universal Pictures [us]

Country:

UK USA France

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 May 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

About a Boy oder: Der Tag der toten Ente

Filming Locations:

HMV Oxford Circus, Oxford Street, London, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$27,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$1,527,768 (France) (15 November 2002)

Gross:

$2,834,577 (France) (29 November 2002)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, StudioCanal, Tribeca Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

At the beginning of the film Marcus says he would be able to take care of his mum (Toni Collette) if he were Haley Joel Osment. Toni Collette played Haley Joel Osment's mother in The Sixth Sense.

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Goofs

As Rachel is cleaning up for Will and Marcus, she picks up a wine glass about half full, but when she sets it down, it is empty.

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Quotes

Marcus: [Opening a Christmas present] Oh brilliant! What is it?...
Will: It's a CD Marcus...

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Connections

Featured in Best! Movies! Ever!: Restaurants (2006)

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Soundtracks

"Feliz Navidad"
By José Feliciano (as Feliciano)
Performed by José Feliciano
Courtesy of RCA Records/BMG Entertainment

User Reviews

Hugh Grant gets a decent script where he can do what he does best and doesn't have to stutter

Described by some as a man's version of Bridget Jones Diary the remarkable thing is that it lives up to the description. Hugh Grant, with an excellent script that could have been written especially for him, plays a young confirmed single yuppie socialite, dividing his day into units in which to pack his meaningless but carefree, philandering lifestyle and disposable income. After initially discovering unmarried mothers as a new supply of grateful sexual objects, he becomes drawn into a meaningful life after making friends with a young boy. Avoiding a cheesy ending is one of the film's many triumphs.