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StudioCanal
Tribeca Productions
Universal Pictures
Working Title Films
Not part of a collection.
Growing up has nothing to do with age.
Will Freeman is a good-looking, smooth-talking bachelor whose primary goal in life is avoiding any kind of responsibility. But when he invents an imaginary son in order to meet attractive single moms, Will gets a hilarious lesson about life from a bright, but hopelessly geeky 12-year-old named Marcus. Now, as Will struggles to teach Marcus the art of being cool, Marcus teaches Will that you're never too old to grow up.
tmdb25796299
Jun 27, 2024 · via TMDB
Really like this movie. Hugh Grant before he started playing himself.
CinemaSerf
Apr 18, 2024 · via TMDB
"Will" (Hugh Grant) lives a life of leisure living off the royalties of a Christmas song written by his grandad. He dates a succession of women but usually neither party want much more than a quickie. He realises that all of the interesting people have grown up and into relationships, marriages and family life - so he decides that it's time for him to have a son too! An imaginary one. Then he encounters "Fiona" (Toni Collette) and her son "Marcus" (Nicholas Hoult) and they begin to bond a little - even if the boy does bring out his (and my) best Herod tendencies. Despite himself, "Will" isn't a complete waste of space and when a near tragedy strikes the life of the bullied "Marcus", the two start to bond over afternoon editions of "Countdown" on the television and slowly all concerned start to realise the benefits of family - shiny new trainers, warts and all. The dialogue is quite observationally witty here and as much of the story is told via a punchy narration from Grant and Hoult, we get an additional degree of honesty to their story that augments the acting quite amiably. Hoult is the star, no doubt about it. His characterisation of an increasingly savvy and persistent child is engaging to watch and though I really did struggle to get through the cheese-fest that is the conclusion I did rather find myself wanting an happy ending. It's easy to see why Grant was Hollywood material and here he effortlessly delivers a gentle feel-good film tinged with the odd bit of reality. One that still works well.
John Chard
Mar 22, 2020 · via TMDB
It didn't kill me softly. Will is self centered and has cast off all his responsibilities. But during one of his more dubious scams to date single mothers, he is forced to reconsider his moral fibre after coming into contact with a 12 year old outcast named Marcus. Adapted from the massively popular book written by Nick Hornby ("Fever Pitch" & "High Fidelity") About A Boy easily translates well to the screen without truly breaking free of the modest premise. Oddly enough for such a British picture, this is directed by an American, Paul Weitz, who along with his brother Chris, brought the world "American Pie". It works, largely to the undervalued comic talents of one Hugh Grant (Will). I would go so far as to say that without Grant leading the film, this would have been a flop, all the highlights on offer are when Grant is on the screen. Expressive with his face and delivering his lines with a natural high, Grant nicely lures the audience into the less than admirable Will's hands. Which is quite a trick considering that Will is a morally dubious scum bag!. Nicholas Hoult (Marcus) is OK as child actors go, but here he is given far to much to do. Which is another reason why Grant is so important to the film being a success, he shoulders much of the emotional burden, letting Hoult breathe what life he can into poor young Marcus (worst hair cut on film ever). Solid support comes from Toni Collette and Rachael Weisz, and Weitz's direction is smooth and unobtrusive, with Badly Drawn Boy's score an integral part of the story. Yet as much as I enjoy the film myself, one still feels frustrated that it didn't turn out better than it did. A double handed narration from both lead characters intrudes on the flow of the plot, and the pay off is ultimately an "oh" moment. So to me it's an OK movie made into a good one courtesy of one of Britain's best light comedy actors. 7/10
User reviews courtesy of TMDB.
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Hugh Grant
Will Freeman
Nicholas Hoult
Marcus Brewer
Toni Collette
Fiona Brewer
Rachel Weisz
Rachel
Natalia Tena
Ellie
Victoria Smurfit
Suzie
Augustus Prew
Ali
Sharon Small
Christine
Nicholas Hutchison
John
Denise Stephenson
Lindsey
Chris Webster
Ellie's Friend
Isabel Brook
Angie
Susannah Doyle
Bitter Ex-Girlfriend
Rosalind Knight
Lindsey's Mum
Sian Ejiwunmi-Le Berre
Cute Waitress
Joanne Petitt
Hairdresser
Cathy Murphy
Nurse
Mark Heap
Math Teacher
Claire Harman
Skechers Shopgirl
Jason Salkey
Amnesty International Worker Tom
Annabelle Apsion
Amnesty International Worker
Russell Barr
Maitre D'
Joyce Henderson
Moira / SPAT
Jenny Galloway
Frances / SPAT
Janine Duvitski
Caroline / SPAT
Alex Kew
Simon Cosgrove
Murray Lachlan Young
New Year's Eve Party Guest
Matthew James Thomas
Candy Thrower
Aaron Keeling
Candy Thrower
Sidney Livingstone
Park Keeper
Bethany Muir
Child in Supermarket
Tessa Vale
Class Teacher
Bill Hargreaves
Props
Remi Adefarasin
Director of Photography
Joanna Johnston
Costume Design
Sara Woodhatch
Actor's Assistant
Chris Weitz
Director
Paul Weitz
Director
Christopher Newman
First Assistant Director
Nick Moore
Editor
Brendan Donnison
ADR Voice Casting
Debra Hayward
Co-Producer
Liza Chasin
Co-Producer
Lynn Harris
Executive Producer
Nick Hornby
Executive Producer
Eric Fellner
Producer
Jane Rosenthal
Producer
Robert De Niro
Producer
Tim Bevan
Producer
Stephen McLaughlin
Scoring Mixer
Nick Hornby
Novel
Chris Weitz
Screenplay
Paul Weitz
Screenplay
Peter Hedges
Screenplay
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Dirty 30
Fast-Walking
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Silberhochzeit
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The Tiger Rising
Oru Mexican Aparatha
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Where the Spies Are
The Next Karate Kid
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The Musketeer
Dead Ant
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Appointment in Bray
No Thank You
Serene Hunter
Nightmare in Venice
A Christmas Hero
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Od Silvestra do Troch kráľov
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The schmuck in London
Violinist of Hamelin: The Movie
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Away Out
Being Heumann
The silent cry of the trees
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The Holiday Hitman
MUM
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I Still Believe
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Submarine
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The Choice
Last Christmas
Love at First Sight
Sidelined 2: Intercepted
Dating Amber
Love Actually
Power Ballad
The High Note
The First Time
The Wedding Date
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Drive Me Crazy
Easy Virtue
Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging
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Father of the Bride
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Waiting to Exhale
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The Lords of Flatbush
The Object of My Affection
May 17, 2002
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The Stranglers - Live '78, SF
1978
Saddle Leather Law
1944
Sign in to vote
Battle your watched movies head-to-head
Community Top Movies
Evil Dead II
1987 · 14 wins
The Dark Knight
2008 · 14 wins
Halloween
1978 · 13 wins
Final Destination
2000 · 12 wins
Halloween II
1981 · 11 wins
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