it was okay.
About a Boy
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Grant grows a heart in Hornby-book pic; teens+.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 14 and Up
The good stuff
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of About a Boy was written by Nell Minow
Parents need to know that this movie has some strong language (two uses of f--k, a lot for a PG-13) and some sexual references (Will is an unabashed love-'em-and-leave-'em guy). A parent is clinically depressed and attempts suicide and the child feels responsible. Another child becomes hysterical about the prospect of his mother dating. Marcus' mother fears that Will has an improper interest in Marcus. Characters drink and smoke.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about how we decide just how much of an island we want to be. Why is it important to Will not to have any relationships? Why are the kids in school so mean to Marcus? How are Will and Marcus alike and how are they different? Is it right for him to believe that it is his responsibility to make his mother feel better? How does Will's relationship with Marcus make him more interested in a relationship with Rachel? What kind of grown-up will Marcus be? How does helping Marcus change Will's feelings about him?
Families should also talk about the definition of girlfriend that Will and Marcus discuss and Marcus' idea about the importance of having a back-up. Why does Will watch Frankenstein? Does Will create a monster? Families may also want to talk about depression and its causes and treatments.
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More on About a Boy
What’s the Story?
ABOUT A BOY, based on the book of the same name by Nick Hornby, is the story of a shallow man appropriately named Will Freeman (Hugh Grant) who wants to live life entirely self-contained with no reason to form attachments of any kind. Will's plan to avoid romantic emotional entanglements: single mothers. He decides it's the perfect relationship; they have low expectations and a sympathetic listener can get pretty far with them. So he pretends to be a single parent himself, makes up a 2-year-old son, and attends a support group in order to meet them. At a group picnic, Will meets a 12-year-old named Marcus (Nicholas Hoult). Marcus is isolated but does not want to be. His single mother is severely depressed and even the outcasts at school think he is too much of a dork to hang out with. Marcus just shows up at Will's home every afternoon to watch television and ultimately insists on becoming the closest thing to a friend that Will has ever known.
Is It Any Good?
The plot sounds like manipulative claptrap from a Hallmark Hall of Fame made-for-TV movie. That's because there is so much appeal in this kind of theme that even a lousy script and poor production values can't completely destroy it. But when it's done well -- or even very, very well, as it is here -- it turns into a purely satisfying and enjoyable film.
We know from Bridget Jones's Diary and even Small Time Crooks that Hugh Grant relishes playing a cad. Freed from the obligation to be the perfect boyfriend of Notting Hill-type movies, he gives us a superb performance of great honesty and subtlety and flawless comedy timing.
Movie Details
Studio: Universal Pictures, Directors: Paul Weitz, Chris Weitz
Run time: 102 minutes
Theatrical release: 05/17/2002, DVD release: 01/14/2003
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for language and sexual references and situations
Run time: 102 minutes
Theatrical release: 05/17/2002, DVD release: 01/14/2003
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for language and sexual references and situations
Our Members Say
See all 6 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
hilarious
ive seen this movie so many times and it is hilarious every time!!!
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I rate this title off for age 0 and give it
Boring and not inspirational
I really don't even remember this very well, it was that good (sarcasm!). I remember thinking the adults were all portrayed as selfish and irresponsible and it was trying to be cute and touching but doesn't make the mark.
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
It was touching...
I liked this movie because it was neat how a man who had such a different perspective in the beginning of the movie than he did when it ended. I was surprised at how much courage the little boy had when he got up on stage and basically surrendered his diginity by singing his mom's favorite song at the school concert because he wanted to make his mom happy. A great family movie even though the language is strong for a PG13 movie.
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
A perfect Comedy/Drama! A Triumph!
This movie, though containing strong language and mild sexual references, is a movie everyone (And I mean EVERYONE) should see at some point in their lives! ABOUT A BOY is a charming, funny film that can teach even the most mature of us a valuable lesson: Youre never too old to grow up.
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