About A Boy – Chris and Paul Weitz
Hugh Grant tries to shake his image as hot British heartthrob in this unconventionally dark comedy. About a Boy is based on the novel of the same name by Nick Hornby, an author whose books have had much success translated into film. With such excellent source material, there was little that the actors and directors could do to ruin the film, even if it stars a chick-flick staple like Hugh Grant.
In the film, he plays a 30-something bachelor who lives off the royalties of a ubiquitous Christmas carol that his father wrote. In the introduction to his lifestyle, he goes through the motions similar to a retiree: going to the hair salon, watching “Countdown,” taking long baths. The frankness with which Grant’s character, Will, accepts life makes the film as funny as it is. He admits to doing nothing, being nothing, and enjoys every minute of his solitude. By an awesome twist of fate, and a very large loaf of bread being tossed into a pond, Will finds himself involved with a single mom and her child, albeit not the single mom that he was attracted to when he moonlighted as a single father to infiltrate a support group for single parents. Nicholas Hoult plays the nerdy schoolboy son of one of the single moms, Marcus. He is so awkward that it is painful to watch him being picked on by the other kids in his new school. The film shows Will during a period of self-doubt about the nothingness that is his life, and hints at possible unresolved issues he may have with his relationship to his father. Marcus is dealing with his own problems, trying to keep his suicidal mother happy while trying to stay alive at school.
For Hugh Grant lovers, this film is the perfect vehicle for him to show off his excellent British narrating voice. As usual, he plays the character with great comedic timing. His character’s deadpan chronic lying is also a highlight of the film. Will is not a far stretch from Grant’s real life; he is also a well-off bachelor living in London. If you are not a Hugh Grant fan already, About a Boy does little to convince you that he is an excellent actor. His chemistry with the main actresses in the film is quite good; Rachel Weisz and Toni Collette make up for Hugh Grant’s predictable acting.
Visually, About a Boy is the first film in a while that coordinates the picture with the plot of the film. Many shots show Will’s cold bachelor pad while the narration discusses how lonely he is as an island. All the interiors are cool blues and grays, adding to the effect of loneliness. Each subsequent character’s dwelling also reflects their personality: Fiona’s funky and earth-toned flat matches her hippy persona, while Rachel’s home is bright and warm, just like her character. Without being mentioned blatantly in the film, it is easy for viewers to catch on to the similarities between the man and the boy both still in the process of maturing. The montage of their budding relationship is especially endearing, as Will is transformed from aloof to accepting of Marcus’s tendency to show up at his flat after school.
The soundtrack is also incredibly appropriate for the film. Badly Drawn Boy wrote songs specially used for this film, capturing the alienation that both Hugh Grant and Nicholas Hoult express in the film. His music is often lighthearted with dark lyrics, echoing the prevailing feeling of the story. Viewers will be surprised to discover that the same directors who made American Pie directed this film that deals with serious issues, but it is easy to see how their humor can inject comedy into what would normally be a dreary story.
The story, visuals, and originality of the film receive A’s, but the acting and enjoyability may not appeal to audiences as much, only receiving B-‘s. Overall, the film is probably an A-. About a Boy is the best film Hugh Grant has put out so far, a fact that heavily relies on the excellent source material from Nick Hornby.
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