I loved the book before i saw the movie.the movie wasnt half bad either.see it.its good.

This film was a pleasure to watch. I loved the fresh tone of a not so perfect ending and an emphasis on real people and real problems, rather than ideals. Hugh Grant was spectacular, the rest of the cast was spectacular, and both the design and direction were so slick. So good.

A light, fun "feel good" movie and that's the extent of it. Hugh Grant carries the film as he is an interesting likable fellow to watch writhe and simultaneously ham it up on screen. Will appeal to those looking for light not-too-dumb fare with a bit of crowd pleasing charm and humor. But that's the extent of it. It is not bad, nor is it very good.

It's nice enough to sit through all the way. I found myself faintly smiling now and then, but it never makes you laugh out loud. Nor does it really hit the heart in any way. Strange, because the story has the potential. The main character who lives all his life superficially, suddenly finding himself having a real, loving connection with some people. Shouldn't that be story enough for a tissue or two?… Expand

If you haven't read the novel, this film plays very well. It has some heft to it, besides being very entertaining. But if you have read the novel, the film is seriously annoying. It deletes the core event, which its mental and verbal, and inserts instead a visual event. For the mentally-verbally impaired, I guess. The core event in the novel is when the hero understands from the lad's mother that he doesn't have to be anything, or even say anything, to her. She just wants him to LISTEN. The glorious moment in the novel is when the hero UNDERSTANDS, from this episode, how to deal with the woman he loves. The film episode that replaces it, the hero risking humiliation by playing the guitar and singing, and saving Marcus's naieve ass, plays very well. It is visual and dramatic, in showing how the hero wins back the admiration of Rachel, who of course in in the audience. But it is a weak substitute for the the very meaningul and funny event that it replaces. One more novel sacrificed to market worship. … Expand

Very solid film. Rachel Weisz is extremely hot, as usual, and Toni Collette proves again that she is one of the most underrated actresses in film.

Just a so-so film that I wanted to like so much. I just was unable to as Hugh Grant was not believable in his role. It certainly was not his fault as he was simply too good looking for the part. I guess if you could overlook this one quirk one would enjoy the movie.

I found this a sweet, funny and charming film; equally important, it was touching without being weepy (something so rare in Hollywood). My only criticism would be that characters other than Grant and Hoult (the boy) end up with no time to be fleshed out or to understand what drives them.

Wanted so much to like it. Unfortuantely, found it a middle of the road prosaic affair. The casting Of Hugh Grant was a mistake. Not that his acting is bad, but because his good looks makes the storyline impossible to believe. I left the theater with a ho-hum feeling.

Best movie of the year so far!

Funny and touching, and for once Hugh Grant is even likable!

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

A self-absorbed metrosexual becomes human. A wonderful exploration of masculinity in a post-feminist age.

Wow. these are the same guys that did american pie? whereas AP was hacked together boilerplate that got by on the virtues of extreme raunchiness, About a Boy is spit polished to within an inch of its life and so masterfully done that it makes it look absurdly easy. deft, with a light touch, effortless and charming. and in the end, good hearted and sweet. countless moments where a lesser film would have degraded into melodrama or cliche. this film keeps it all fresh, keeps all the balls in the air, and the laughs just keep coming one after another. and man, hugh grant is spot on dead perfect in this role. tremendous performance from him and his child costar. in fact, the entire cast is excellent without exception. and yes, the final message of the film is indeed a platitude that everyone will see coming a mile away. and yet, because the film is so smart about staying away from such easy answers in the whole rest of the movie, we get the sense that in the end, perhaps we get the adage that we do simply because, when all is said and done, it's true. if the box office were a strict meritocracy, i get the feeling Attack of the Clones would have been in big trouble this weekend.… Expand

One of the rare movies that has has characters you can either identify with or relate to someone you know -- and still manages to remain interesting. The picture makes the most of its witty dialog without seeming to try to hard. I clever movie; if you enjoyed Four Weddings and a Funeral you'll love this one.

A very enjoyable movie...it does have a story, a simple comedy about a single guy...I like such movies ...as compared to the typical high decibel hollywood fantasy movie.

I very much wanted to like this film, but I found it cliched and not at all believable. I'm guessing the book was better.

It was great. SO FUNNY. Hugh Grant was great. It was probably the best of all of the Hugh Grant movies. Really charming.

Edgy enough for most of its running time to forgive the somewhat sappy ending. Excellent cast, esp. Grant, Hoult & Collette, and confidently directed.

Great escapism with a lightness that is refreshing. Hugh Grant is irresistably uncharming--he plays the part perfectly. The boy is wonderfully peculiar and tenacious, and the two create a strange but enjoyable chemistry. I was afraid for the narration, but having two characters narrating just helped the development more, without being a burden; and what they were saying was witty and concise enough to forget about the show-don't-tell rule. Well written, well cast--overall a delightful comedy; take a break from all the heavy action and drama and have fun for a little while. … Expand

Excellent film- but why spoil it by taken huge chunks out of it that were in the book, i mean changing the whole Nirvana thing and making them like rap music?? It defeated the object.

One of the funniest movies I've seen in years. Hugh Grant is absolutely brilliant, and the writing is first rate.

I thought the move was the best move I ever saw, hugh grant is the best actor ever he gets 100 percent for his acting and good looks.

I enjoyed this film despite the critics magnificent scores it was actually half decent.

Simply put, this movie rocks! Rent it, love it.

Very funny and touching. A kind of movie hard to find these days..... And Hugh Grant is soooo yummy!

I luvvvvvvv this movie!! it was so touching and funny. Its one of those movies where u get so involved and hope everything works out. hugh Grant is sexy and that boy is sooo cute and real.

Barely saw it on video and wished I had seen it earlier. One of the best comedies and feel good movies I have seen in a very long time. This was by far Hugh Grant's greatest role.

An intelligent and probing movie about what it means to be a well-to-do bachelor in the advanced Western World. The hero of the movie lives with distractions--tv, music, movies--and avoids the responsibilities of life until an odd boy falls onto his lap. The plot may be a bit contrived, but the sensitive performances, the movie's candid portrayal of self-deceptive personalities, and the generally insightful and honest depiction of the glib middle class milieu of its main character all make for a refreshing movie about our world. … Expand

Hugh Grant has never been better. The real find, though, is Nicholas Hoult, who finds the perfect balance to play a character who could have been all wrong.

Would have been better without some of the cheesy scenes.

This movie is so great, a nice story with humour and sadness, and is Hugh Grant not the cutest thing ever? I've seen it 3 times now!!

A moving, touching and witty script, superb direction, beautiful soundtrack, top notch performances by Hugh Grant, Nicholas Hoult, Toni Collette and Rachel Weisz make this the film of the year.

Superb adaptation of Hornby's novel.

I died laughing through the whole movie. It's great!

This Movie is wonderful. I wouldn't call it a romantic comedy at all. It's subtlety shines from the beginning. All of the acting is superb, and I found myself laughing uncontrollably in several sequences. The best Hugh Grant has done!

I cried.

I think this movie is believable... Especially the part that the mom tries to leaves this world and the boy is standing there, if nothing is happening.... And then goes to Hugh's place to avoid to be confronted with it ever again!!!

Very clever, unique and a great overall comedy.

A gleefully quirky treat. Rich with human characters that seem to jump off the screen and into our hearts, with situations and emotions all too familiar. A jewel.

This is the best comedy of 2002! Both funny and touching, I smiled throughout the whole movie. Rent it and you'll definitely like this movie.

One of the cutest, funniest, and most touching films ever. as always, hugh grant's amazing, and who else thinks nicholos hoult (marcus) is absolutely adorable? About A Boy is a spectacular film. I've seen it more than 5 times and still cant get enough of it.

The only reason I can see to watch this film is the fact that you get to look at Hugh Grant for the whole film and it is reasonably funny. The humour is dry and sarcastic, with Will's quirky one liners. Over all the story is so predictable i could have written the book within the first 5 minutes of watching the film.

Quality film throughout!

Good acting, decent plot, somewhat funny, but it could get tedious and slow at times.

Hugh Grant at his best as a self absorbed man who gets drawn into the world of a geeky boy where an unusual relationship develops. As the friendship progresses he learns from the kid what life is actually about. While it doesn't have many side splitting moments it does entertain and is definitely worth checking out.

Hugh Grant has finally found his calling; playing a literal grown-up who has yet to grow up. He and Nicholas Hoult work together with more charm, humor, and sincerity than Andie MacDowell ever came close to.

It's eccentric, often crude, and seamlessly silly, but About A Boy finds its stride at the forefront of most non-commital men, children.
Hugh Grant has left his stammering,stuttering baby-face like persona back home and s extremely confident and funny as the free-wheeling and hedonistic bachelor Will, a man living off his fathers one hit wonder Christmas song, and this film picks up through the central character trying to pick up women at SPAT (Single Parents Alone Together). Through this, he runs into the weird and wonderfully blank Marcus, (the debut of Nicholas Hoult). What follows is a simply hilarious chain events where Marcus appears to be the only person privy to Wills plans and so begins to visit him everyday after school to just socialise (and watch Countdown) and even discuss girl problems, a 12 year old versus a 38 year old. The story is told through a double narration from both Marcus and Will, attempting to clarify and explain their friendship with each other, from Marcus continuing struggles with his suicidal mother (the excellent Toni Collette) and Will's attempt to start a relationship with Rachel (Rachel Weisz).
This film deals with all the typical problems seen in a dysfunctional lifestyle, which in turn shows to be quite a frequent theme in most peoples lives, troublesome children, marriage, sex, single parents, it all appears in a light-hearted attempt to show the trial and error ways of dealing with children, mid-life crisis etc.
With a wonderfully ridiculous climax, this film will indeed play on the heartstrings in mild-mannered fashion that only a British comedy can deliver, it has all the great performances, particularly the two leads, a stepping out of the comfort zone Hugh Grant is especially convincing as the care-free bachelor but it was young Nicholas Hoult, whose career undoubtedly went from strength to strength after this role, stole the show as the young, confused, but not so naive Marcus, who takes no bull from anyone, typically as most children are, but a lot of nerve would have had to go into accepting that role and he embraced it with every fibre. Another excellently delivered British flick that will not fail to amuse a wider variety of audiences, whether its coming-of-age or simple twists on a rom-com, definitely worth watching.… Expand