About a Boy
About a Boy

About a Boy

2002Movie101 minEnglish

Will Freeman is a good-looking, smooth-talking bachelor whose primary goal in life is avoiding any kind of responsibility. But when he invents an imaginary son in order to meet attractive single moms, Will gets a hilarious lesson about life from a bright, but hopelessly geeky 12-year-old named Marcus. Now, as Will struggles to teach Marcus the art of being cool, Marcus teaches Will that you're never too old to grow up.

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Insights

IMDb7.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes92%
Metacritic81/100
Google Users86%
Director: Chris Weitz, Paul WeitzGenres: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Plot Summary

Will Freeman is a wealthy, commitment-averse Londoner who concocts a fictional son to attend single-parent support groups, hoping to meet single mothers. His plan goes awry when he meets Marcus, a socially awkward boy whose mother, Fiona, is suffering from depression. Will reluctantly becomes a friend and mentor to Marcus, leading to unexpected personal growth and the development of genuine friendships.

Critical Reception

About a Boy was met with widespread critical acclaim, praised for its witty script, heartwarming story, and strong performances, particularly from Hugh Grant and Nicholas Hoult. It was a commercial success, resonating with audiences for its relatable exploration of unconventional friendship and personal development.

What Reviewers Say

  • Hugh Grant delivers a charming performance as a reluctant man-child finding purpose.
  • The film balances humor and pathos effectively, exploring themes of responsibility and connection.
  • Nicholas Hoult is impressive as the quirky and endearing Marcus.

Google audience: Audiences loved the film's humor and heartwarming story, highlighting the excellent chemistry between Hugh Grant and Nicholas Hoult. Many praised its ability to be funny and touching without being overly sentimental, with particular appreciation for the character development.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. Hugh Grant received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy.

Fun Fact

The character of Will Freeman was specifically written with Hugh Grant in mind, and the script was sent to him before it was even officially greenlit by the studios.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

3 reviews
tmdb25796299

tmdb25796299

Really like this movie. Hugh Grant before he started playing himself.
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

"Will" (Hugh Grant) lives a life of leisure living off the royalties of a Christmas song written by his grandad. He dates a succession of women but usually neither party want much more than a quickie. He realises that all of the interesting...
John Chard

John Chard

It didn't kill me softly. Will is self centered and has cast off all his responsibilities. But during one of his more dubious scams to date single mothers, he is forced to reconsider his moral fibre after coming into contact with a 12 ...