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A Universal release. Written by Peter Hedges, Chris and Paul Weitz; directed by Chris and Paul Weitz; starring Hugh Grant and Toni Collette.  Off-screen, Hugh Grant has always come across as a good-natured rogue. From his trist with Divine Brown to his Kilborn-esque style of complimentary self-deprecation, Grant seems like a normal guy who is genuinely amused by his fan base of adoring women and the success he has had. Despite this appealing persona though, Grant’s roguish charms have never really translated through to the silver screen. Until now. Getting away from the lite, saccharin characters he has played in movies like Nine Months, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Mickey Blue Eyes and Notting Hill, Grant tackles the role of Will in the Weitz brothers’ latest film About a Boy. Adapted from Nick Hornby’s (High Fidelity) novel of the same name, Grant stars as the comically gruff Will, a man quickly approaching middle age who has never worked a day in his life, choosing to live off the residuals he receives for an immensely popular Christmas carol that his late father wrote. Will has never been particularly good with people because he’s never had to be particularly good with people. Enter Marcus (Nicholas Hoult), a neighborhood 12-year old. Will and Marcus strike up an unusual friendship and both males begin to see their horizons broadening. About a Boy works because it’s funny and because the Weitz’s do a very good job of garnering audience sympathy for both Will and Marcus, which is no easy task given Will’s propensity for stating that he is a single father in order to meet eligible single mothers. Hornby’s tales of near middle-age male growth always play out in a similar fashion and About a Boy’s only failing is its adherence to formula. Grant and Hoult are terrific in their roles and their chemistry one intangible that dramatically improves the quality of this film. This was quite enjoyable.
chris neumer yes, it's true: One of Hugh Grant’s middle names is ‘Mungo’. The other is ‘John’. | |||||
