Review- About A Boy

What a pleasant surprise.  I'm not just talking about the movie itself, but who knew Hugh Grant could act?  I sat down to watch this movie only after seeing that it had the unbelievable score of 93% on Rotten Tomatoes.  I thought to myself, "You keep reviewing really heavy, dark films.  Maybe try a chick flick for a change."  As a side note, you will find that I have a strange affinity toward romantic comedies- R-rated ones.  I know they aren't for everyone, but movies like Love, Actually, and Knocked Up bring a certain sense of optimism that probably isn't entirely realistic, but a nice escape from reality no less.  About a Boy is not one of these movies.  I find myself once again reviewing a sort of morbid film here.  However, the difference between About a Boy and, say Very Bad Things is that not only was this movie underscored with light-hearted relief from its darker tones, but it was good.  Very good.

About A Boy is the first grown up effort from the the Weitz brothers.  That's right: the same guys who brought you American Pie have moved on to slightly more adult-pitched ventures, adapting this Nick Hornby novel.  The movie starts examining a day in the life of Will (Hugh Grant).  Will is a happy bachelor drifting though life alone, jobless, but mostly satisfied, living off of the royalties of a song his father wrote in the 1950's.  He is a bachelor to the n-th degree- and quite the eligible one at that.  One day, in his many womanizing ventures, Will meets and begins to see a woman who we find out has a son.  As he tries to decide how he should go about ending things, something amazing happens- she ends it.  Overcome by the lack of guilt, Will decides this is worth exploring and begins attending SPAT meetings (Single Parents Alone Together).  He meets mostly frumpy women in their 40's throwing a group pity party, but does manage to see a light through the storm in Suzie- an attractive 30-something single mother.  The two go out a few times (as naturally Will has invented a son who doesn't live with him).  It is during one of their dates that Will meets Marcus (Nichloas Hoult), an intriguing (if slightly odd) boy whose mother (Toni Collette) is in a bad way and may just "need a weekend to herself".  This was a bad idea.  After returning Marcus home, it is discovered that his mother has attempted suicide.  She, however, survives and is brought right back home to continue raising her son (now I don't know how things are across the pond, but that raised a bit of skepticism for this American-bred viewer).  Marcus decides that two just isn't enough and that a third- being Will, of course- is needed just in case.  And so begins our journey of boy changing man, man seeing more to life, and eventual happiness for all.  

What is remarkable about About a Boy is that, while the themes are pretty heavy, the humor remains light, ensuring its audience is never laughing solely because we need a break from all the depression.  Hugh Grant has never been used more effectively than this.  For the most part we see him in roles that play directly to his shtick- what I like to call the Jimmy Stewart shtick.  While these performers are very different, they both managed to make it based on their ability to be so lovingly befuddled all the time.  This seemed really fresh for about a movie or so- A movie.  But About a Boy sees Grant (for once) playing a character that is shallow, devious, and just sort of a rascal.  And it is awesome.  Hugh Grant (imagine I'm saying this through a megaphone)- DO MORE MOVIES LIKE THIS AND PEOPLE WILL COME TO SEE THEM.  Of course there are several other strong performances throughout the movie, not the least of which is Toni Collette's suicidal mother.  Also a strong turn from the young Nicholas Hoult, and the more seasoned Rachel Weisz certainly contribute to the quality of the film. 

Overall, About a Boy is a sweet, touching story about suicide... which i didn't really know was possible.  Due to the strong performances, capable script adaptation, and surprising skill behind the camera, the movie becomes more than just your run-of-the-mill romantic comedy.  Movies like Notting Hill, and The Bridget Jones Diary may be where Hugh Grant earns his big paychecks, but watch About a Boy and I think you'll agree- we could use a little less boyish schmuck, and a little more adult jerk.

Overall Rating- 7.5/10