About A Boy

ABOUT A BOY (15)

D: Paul Weitz & Chris Weitz

Universal/Tribeca/Working Title/Studio Canal (Jane Rosenthal, Robert DeNiro, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner & Brad Epstein)

UK/USA 🇬🇧🇺🇸 2002

97 mins

Comedy

W: Peter Hedges, Chris Weitz & Paul Weitz [based on the novel by Nick Hornby]

DP: Remi Adefarasin

Ed: Nick Moore

Mus: Badly Drawn Boy

PD: Jim Clay

Cos: Joanna Johnston

Hugh Grant (Will Freeman), Nicholas Hoult (Marcus Brown),Toni Collette (Fiona Brown), Rachel Weisz (Rachel), Isabel Brook (Angie), Sharon Small (Christine), Victoria Smurfit (Suzie), Augustus Prew (Ali)

Will Freeman (Hugh Grant) is a bachelor living off royalties from a song his father wrote. He enjoys driving fast cars, casual sex and at 38 years old he has rid his life of all responsibility... until he meets Marcus, a quirky 12-year-old boy who turns Wills life upside down.

Based on Nick Hornby's excellent novel, the humour carries over well. Hugh Grant's performance punctuates the dry wit of the script and Nicholas Hoult provides him with an excellent double act as Marcus, the young boy of the title.

The soundtrack with songs by Badly Drawn Boy is worth a listen to on its own merits.

8/10

Hugh Grant & Nicholas Hoult in About A Boy

Did You Know:

In the novel by Nick Hornby, Will introduces Marcus to the band Nirvana. The book is set during 1994 and the story climaxes with the kids learning about, and being affected by, lead singer Kurt Cobain's suicide. The title of the story is an allusion on the Nirvana song "About A Girl".

Award Wins & Nominations:

MILSTEAD MOVIE AWARDS:

Wins: None

Nominations: 8 (Best Picture; Best Actor in a Leading Role; Best Actor in a Supporting Role; Best Actress in a Supporting Role; Best Ensemble Cast; Best Screenplay (Adaptation); Best Original Musical or Comedy Score; Best Original Song)

OSCARS:

Wins: none

Nominations: 1 (Best Screenplay - Adaptation)

BAFTAS

Wins: none

Nominations: 2 (Best Actress in a Supporting Role; Best Screenplay - Adaptation)

OTHER WINS:

AFI Awards (Movie Of The Year); Boston Film Critics (Best Supporting Actress); Christopher Awards (Best Film); Empire Awards (Best British Actor); Golden Camera Awards (Best International Actor); London Critics Circle (British Actor Of The Year); OFTAS (Best Youth Performance); Phoenix Film Critics (Overlooked Film of the Year; Best Performance by a Youth); Satellite Awards (Best Original Song); US Comedy Arts Festival (Best Studio Comedy)