3/4  Hugh Grant is Snarky and Self-Depricating. Again.
With such a fantastic cast, how can the film fail? Hugh Grant plays the same character he plays in every other film...but does so very well. Toni Collette is fabulous, as to be expected. Rachel Weisz is stunning, and Nicholas Hutchison ... (read full)

4/4  About a Boy
Every time I watch this movie, it makes me want to give Hugh Grant a big hug because his character needs some serious lovin'! I love that this film is a bit off-beat but not too much. The fact that Hugh Grant does not play a prince charmin... (read full)

3.5/4  Review - About a Boy (2002)
Will (Hugh Grant) was an immature man who did nothing with his life before he met Marcus (Nicholas Hoult). He learns to be an adult through this child in “About a Boy.”

To date I haven’t seen a Grant film that wasn’t absolutely charming... (read full)

3.5/4  About a Boy Quick Review
This is an adorable story. Funny and touching. The "boy" (Nicholas Hoult) does a great job as the strange, misfit teen. Grant is classic-Grant as the funny, charming, lovable bad-boy. So cute!

3/4  About a Boy Quick Review
All the actors are good and the story is not bad either. I would recommend it for a good time.

3/4  About a Boy Quick Review
A fairly decent comedy that is kind of catchy. There was nothing spectacular about it but it was better than the normal romantic comedy mold. Grant and Hoult perform well on screen together. You may want to check this one out.

5/5 About life; period...
  by Andrew Ellington (Mulholland Drive)
When I first saw `About a Boy' I found myself slightly underwhelmed. I wanted to like it and knew that I was supposed to, but I just didn't really care. That was a few years ago. Then, about a year ago, I caught it on cable and, while I only caught the last half, I found myself wrapped up in it.

Then I bought it.

Now I love it.

This is definitely a film that has grown on my ridiculous amounts and I now consider it one of the best of 2002, definitely top ten and at times I even consider it top 5 (I so wish I was still doing my awards, but then again, I'm glad I'm not). It has so much depth to it, if you are willing to give it the time of day. It can, and does at times, appear to be just another romantic comedy, and it does have those elements (thank you Rachel Weisz), but there is so much more here than just a generic `boy meets girl'. The main point of this story is self awareness, and it is handled in such a fun and beautifully touching way.

That `Killing Me Softly' finale just hits me where it counts.

The film tells of selfish womanizer Will who preys on single mothers by attending single parent groups. It's at one of these groups that he meets young Marcus, who is in serious need of some male attention. His mother, Fiona, is a bit unstable (or a lot unstable) and somewhat suicidal, and her chronic depression is almost too much for Marcus. So, after making the first move, Marcus ends up finding a companion in Will. Will, who is quite aware that he is shallow and self consumed, is stunned that he is finally putting someone else's feelings above his own; but of course that is a life change that will not come easy.

Hugh Grant is a great comedian and has proven himself numerous times for me. I was not sold on him entirely a few years ago, but over time he has really grown on me. From his priceless pairing with Bullock to his nomination worthy performance in `Four Wedding and a Funeral', not to mention memorable and charming turns in fluff films like `Music and Lyrics' (such a cute albeit forgettable film), Grant has really perfected his charm. This is his finest moment, easy. He is funny and charming and even a tad sleazy, but he manages to capture this man's heart and convey this feeling of want and vulnerability that really helps sell this movie to the audience. Toni Collette is really good, but I do feel as though love for this performance in particular is a little overrated. She is wonderful always, but she isn't breathtaking here. I preferred Rachel Weisz. Young Nicholas Hoult is just `pinch me' cute here, you just want to give him a gigantic hug and tell him everything will be all right.

Like I said, that `Killing Me Softly' scene is just a tearjerker.

So, in the end I'm gushing. Give this one a try if you haven't, and if you have and you're still not sure then watch it again. One of the most beautiful lessons in life is to love and accept yourself, and sometimes it takes a child to teach an adult how to do that.

5/5 Great Movie
  by Mary Lowenberg (Marshfield, WI United States)
This movie is just so entertaining. The acting is excellent by the entire cast.

5/5 Great story.
  by Jennifer Chibukis
About a Boy is a really great movie. It's the story of how a shallow man finds that he really does need other people in his life. His relationship with the boy is very touching. While this is classified as a comedy, it is much more than that. It is a very deep and entertaining movie.

3/5 Not bad. More of a chick flick...
  by _LARS_ (USA)
All around not a bad movie, but it's not a great movie either. One I probably won't remember anything about a year from now.

4/5 3 stars out of 4
  by One-Line Film Reviews (Easton, MD)
The Bottom Line:

A capable adaptation of Hornby's novel and a very enjoyable movie, About a Boy makes the most of Hugh Grant's considerable charm and the novel's low-key humor--it should entertain you all the way through.