About a Boy

[Josh]

Surprisingly, I thought this film was quite well done.

You can spot the twists in the plot long before they actually arrive. And the premise is rather pedestrian: A selfish, greedy man meets a young boy who eventually teaches the man how to be selfless and generous. But it's not played out with the syrup and sentimentality of most movies in this genre. There's no swelling violin music or sad puppy-dog eyes to get the audience to react. There's no one moment when the man suddenly sees the error in his ways. The change in him is gradual, almost unnoticeable.

And it's hilarious, by the way. Parts of it, anyway. Hugh Grant's timing is spot-on.

And the soundtrack includes a U2 song. "Zoo Station," of all songs.

Good film. I'd give it a solid 4 out of 5, if I still rated movies like that.

[Vlad!]

You can spot the twists in the plot long before they actually arrive. And the premise is rather pedestrian: A selfish, greedy man meets a young boy who eventually teaches the man how to be selfless and generous.

Bah. I hate both of those things. Especially the first one, though the latter has been done and redone so much that the parodies (see Pea Soup for a Cynics soul in off-topic) are the only good things about them anymore.

At least it sounds like it has some redeeming qualities.

[Josh]

You can spot the twists in the plot long before they actually arrive.

In retrospect, "twists" was probably not the best word to use here. It's not a thriller or a mystery, and it never tries to surprise or startle you, so predictable plot developments is not quite the detriment that it would be to a film like Signs or Insomnia.

[latinchic]

Oh, we LOVE "About A Boy".  That was a keeper, so we bought it.

It's quirky, it's funny, it allows the character to figure things out as the film progresses without any silly lines or predictable sappiness.  It's further, thoroughly enjoyable.  Actually.....I think both the kid and Grant did excellent jobs in their roles.  

Vlad.....go rent the movie, you'll like it.

latinchic B)
 

[Josh]

The more I think about it, the more I was impressed with the film. *Spoilers* The part when Grant's character started "singing with his eyes closed" was shocking and mesmerizing. That was probably my favorite film.

And boy... Grant's one-liners were HYSTERICAL.

[enemy anemone]

I checked it out and watched it and enjoyed it more than I had expected. thanks, Josh!

[Josh]

Glad you enjoyed it, Schil! Always wonderful to turn people on to films that they end up liking.  =)