Common Sense Media Review
Edgy, sweet book-based dramedy has profanity, mature themes.
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About a Boy
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 5 parent reviews
Based on 18 kid reviews
Kids say this film effectively addresses mature themes such as friendship, personal growth, and dealing with difficult life situations, making it a compelling watch for older teens and adults. However, it includes strong language, as well as references to suicide and other adult themes, limiting its suitability for younger audiences.
- mature themes
- character growth
- strong language
- friendship bond
- suitable for teens
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
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 14-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 may sound like manipulative claptrap from a made-for-TV movie, but the theme has so much appeal 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. There is a lot in About a Boy for teens and parents to enjoy and discuss.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the roles of friendship and other relationships in About a Boy and in our lives. Why is it important to Will not to have any relationships? Why are the kids in school so mean to Marcus? How does Will's relationship with Marcus make him more interested in one with Rachel?
How are Will and Marcus alike, and how are they different? Is it right for Marcus to believe that it's his responsibility to make his mother feel better? What kind of grown-up will Marcus be? How does helping Marcus change Will's feelings about him?
Talk about the definition of "girlfriend" that Will and Marcus discuss -- and Marcus' idea about the importance of having back-up.
Talk about depression and its causes and treatments. What can you do if you or someone you know is depressed?
How does Will learn empathy and humility in About a Boy? Why are these important character strengths?
Movie Details
- In theaters : May 17, 2002
- On DVD or streaming : January 14, 2003
- Cast : Hugh Grant , Nicholas Hoult , Toni Collette
- Directors : Chris Weitz , Paul Weitz
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Universal Pictures
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Book Characters , Arts ( Music and Sing-Along )
- Character Strengths : Empathy , Humility
- Run time : 102 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : brief strong language and some thematic elements
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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