TC Candler's Review A-

Is Every Man an Island?

The first half of the film is side-splittingly funny and the second half is a sweet and touching tale of friendship, loyalty and the search for happiness. This film will appeal to virtually everyone who watches it... Hugh Grant's timing is so precise and his charm so evident that he probably deserved to become one of the few actors to ever garner an Oscar nomination for a comedic role. This is his best performance yet.

Rachel Weisz dazzles yet again as the girl who curbs Grant's womanizing. She is one of the very best young actresses in the world today and proves that here, even though her role is a small one. Toni Collette is zany and wacky as the suicidal vegetarian mom who loves her son but has no idea how to raise him in this modern world. And special note must be given to the 12 year old child actor, Nicholas Hoult, who does a good job of not screwing up the film. Most films with kids in leading roles are awful primarily because the kid sucks... this is a rare and special exception.

If you are a fan of Hugh Grant and the type of comedies he usually makes... then this film will not disappoint! It's charming, it's funny, it's smart and it's original.

© Written by TC Candler

How We Rated This Film TC Candler - A- Richard Propes - B+ Jacob Hall - B+

Richard Propes' Comment

This film offers a performance I've long expected from Hugh Grant. I've always believed he was capable of a multi-dimensional performance that hits all the right notes. He's come close, but until this film never quite arrived. In "About a Boy," Hugh Grant arrives. At times funny...at times amazingly tender, Grant is priceless in his scenes with 12-year-old Nicholas Hoult, Toni College and Rachel Weisz. All the characters do a remarkable job, including the young Hoult. With a beautifully balanced script and quietly touching direction, this film is magical.

Jacob Hall's Comment

This is one of those movies that I was convinced I was not going to like. A friend told me that I had to watch it and lent me his copy. My brother and sister watched, and told me I had to watch it. I kept putting it off, after all, it's about a relationship between a jerk womanizer (Hugh Grant) and a troubled young kid. This is the reason I did not see it in theaters: it sound boring. It sounds like some sort of dull coming of age film.

But when I had a free evening, I decided to pop the DVD in. I got a very wonderful surprise. I got an honest and hilarious film that showed relationships in a realistic and funny way. I got a film that captures the mind of a troubled youngster perfectly. What I saw, was a great film. Not great in terms of true excellence, but great in terms of sheer entertainment value and what we can learn from viewing it.

I say that if you have not seen this, you should do so now. And don't delay