[7]

An aimless playboy and a dorky middle-schooler become friends through serendipity in About a Boy, based on the book by Nick Hornby and directed by Chris and Paul Weitz of American Pie fame. Hugh Grant plays the playboy, coasting on royalties from a famous song his father wrote. Nicholas Hoult, who would later grow up to later star in X-Men: First Class and Warm Bodies, plays the kid. I have a soft spot for surrogate father/son relationships in movies (and I don't think I'm alone), but Grant and Hoult do a commendable job playing the parts believably and steering clear of cheese. The film manages to incorporate some real drama into the mix, especially regarding Hoult's suicidal mother (Toni Collette), without getting too weighed down.

I also appreciate that, while things end on a positive note, everything isn’t tied up with a bow. Hoult’s character kicks off act two trying to find a boyfriend for his mom so she won’t try to kill herself again. Formula would suggest Grant and Collette get together in the end, but that doesn’t quite happen. Instead, both Hoult’s and Grant’s characters aim higher, resolving to make their families and networks of friends as large as possible. You know, it takes a village.

The film works overall, but the handling of Collette’s character sticks in my craw. Her well being comes off secondary to the shenanigans and she seems far too aloof to be a respectable mother. I also wish Rachel Weisz had more to do in the movie. Because we can all use a little more Rachel Weisz in our lives.

Oscar Nomination: Best Adapted Screenplay