Advanced Search Beta »
Basic Search Fields
About a Boy
About a Boy Image
See the trailer
Metascore
75 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 38 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.0 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 71 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
Rate this:
  • Starring: Hugh Grant
  • Summary: About a Boy is about a man (Grant) -- a handsome, rich, shallow, self-absorbed, irresistible cad -- and the unexpected relationship he develops with a boy he meets while trying to pick up another boy's mother. (Universal Pictures)

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 38
  3. Negative: 2 out of 38
  1. Portland Oregonian
    Reviewed by: Shawn Levy
    100
    The timing and cutting of the film are terrific, the build-up to an absurdly hilarious climax is just right, and the performances are near perfect.
    All this critic's reviews
  2. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Tanya L. Edwards
    60
    Wickedly funny and surprisingly sweet film may be the perfect star vehicle for Grant. He's full of piss and vinegar and has at long last set aside the wobbly, stammering persona best left at "Four Weddings and a Funeral."
  3. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: Jessica Winter
    30
    Since the central odd couple have no rapport, their bond never seems to progress past mutual usury.

See all 38 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 43 out of 49
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 49
  3. Negative: 0 out of 49
  1. SusanL.
    9
    A self-absorbed metrosexual becomes human. A wonderful exploration of masculinity in a post-feminist age.
    • 0 of 1 users said yes
  2. grandpajoe6191
    8
    The original book was witty, ingenious, smart, and cheerful. It had life and power in every page. The characters were humorous and charismatic. Everything was great. Hey, what about the movie "About a Boy"? Fabulous, and even better than the book.… Expand
    • 1 of 1 users said yes
  3. MikeG.
    4
    Movie had a lot of potential, but just fell apart at the end, as it veered too far away from Hugh Grant's character and started meandering all over the place. It felt more manipulative and cheap than heartfelt, and never really made me believe that Hugh Grant had suddenly turned some sort of magical corner. The problem with the movie is the problem with nearly all of Hornby's books - we're supposed to believe that the characters turn a corner but don't completely come around the bend. This works much better in his novels than in the three movie adaptations there have been of his novels thus far. On the screen the "he's sort of a good guy, but not quite" just doesn't leave you feeling complete when you leave the theater.… Expand
    • 0 of 1 users said yes

See all 49 User Reviews

Trailers