About a boy ... and the book is better? (most of the time it is)


Don't get me wrong : I wouldn't dare to think that Nick Hornby's book is worse than its movie-adaption. But, because the movie is that good, the book has to be wonderful! (which should be normal, right)

Hugh Grant is Will, a 38 year old guy who resides in London, with absolutely no ambitions whatsoever. He spends the day watching tv, buying cd's, eating a quick snack and getting his hair done. He's able to rest on his laurels like this, cause he doesn't have to work : he gets monthly royalties. His late dad was a one-hit wonder who wrote a popular Christmas-song. Will is happy living on his "own" island, in fact, he sees himself as his own island ("I'm Ibiza"). And he doesn't know how to treat women.

That's why he decides to move over to single mothers. He makes up his own 2-year-old son and attends "single parent"-conversations. He meets Marcus, a young teenager, on one of his dates. When Marcus finds out Will lied about having a son, he forces Will to be his "friend/partner in crime".


It would be criminal if I told you more than that. You simply have to see this movie yourself.

Hugh Grant is incredible - he's actually a "nice" bastard - and I liked him much more in here, compared to his character in Bridget Jones's Diary (he was an ass in that one). His English-accent is still to die for (I think I'm going to England to study that language) and I have not yet recovered from his one-liners, which were funny beyond all reason!

Nicolas Hoult, who plays Marcus, is an upcoming talent - keep an eye on that name - with Toni Collette and Rachel Weisz (amongst others) all being very, very good. And Ellie, Marcus' friend from school, is an absolute sweetie. I don't know her name yet, but she's another entry in my "chicas"-list. That may sound very "average male" (judging a woman from her looks, instead of mixing looks with character and personality), but fear not : she's an incredible actress too, so I also reserved a place in my actresses-top!

The movie being this good is even more incredible when you know that the directors are those from the two American Pie-movies, which both are sure-fire winners in the "Worst Movies Ever"-series (with Scary Movie at n° 1). A real thumbs-up to Chris and Paul Weitz!

Do whatever you can or must do to see this movie (trade your mother-in-law for it, I don't care) ... this is the best (to quote Mr. Grant) "bloody" feel-good movie of the year! Oh yeah!


*** "About a boy" from Chris and Paul Weitz, with Hugh Grant, Nicolas Hoult, Toni Collette, Rachel Weisz, Sharon Small ...


And now I'm off to read the book ...