About a Boy
Rated PG-13 for brief strong language and some thematic elements.
reviewed by Christopher Lyon
Sometimes, a movie goes exactly where you think its going—but it does it in such an effective way that it still works. “About a Boy” was like that for me. The plot didn’t offer any huge surprises, but the getting there was so well executed that I didn’t mind.
The Story
Will (Hugh Grant) is a cool, single, self-absorbed loner with no real relationships—and he likes it that way. He’s got his cool apartment. He’s got his high-tech gadgets. He’s got plenty of money. And he has sex with lots of women. In his own words, he’s shallow and his life is about nothing. (He’s a lot like Jerry Seinfeld’s character from the TV show if he didn’t have any friends.
Marcus (newcomer Nicholas Hoult) is a sensitive 12-year-old whose mom is depressed and suicidal. He’s also a loner, but not by choice. The kids at his school pick on him/avoid him because he dresses fun
After Will lies his way through a support group for single parents (in order to meet women), he meets Marcus on an outing with a single mother friend of Marcus’s mom. Marcus decides he needs more than just his mom—and that Will should be the other person in his life. Of course, Will doesn’t really want any relationships, but Marcus is so persistent that Will eventually forms a tentative bond with the kid. But can Will allow others into his life or will he retreat back into his carefully controlled world?
The Verdict
Set completely in London with British actors, “About a Boy” is based on a book by Nick Hornby (“High Fidelity”). The movie is funny, nicely paced, and engaging. Hugh Grant does a great job of making Will unapologetically shallow and selfish. And he’s believable when he finally starts to realize that his life needs to be “about something.”
The young actor who plays Marcus is fearless as the strange and puffy boy. His character is completely honest and completely trusting somehow. The actress who plays his mom is nice, also, as a slightly insane vegetarian who cries all the time.
The Message
The real strength of “About a Boy” is that it presents a powerful message without ever being preachy. Will is convinced that he doesn’t need anybody. He believes himself to be an island. How many people in our society feel exactly the same way?
It’s popular to think of life being “about nothing.” It doesn’t matter what I say or do or how I feel, because nothing really matters. If you don’t believe in anything—if you don’t rely on anyone—you can never get hurt. The characters in “Seinfeld” based their whole lives on that principle.
Even some Christians are tempted to live safe lives that don’t involve any more people than necessary. We feel most comfortable with our one-on-one relationship with God and a little circle of people like us. It’s easier that way.
But, as Will learns, if you let yourself start to care about even just one person, suddenly your life is about something beyond yourself—whether you like it or not. Marcus introduces Will to a world of caring about others even if you get nothing out of it.
Of course, ultimately, the biggest “something” your life can be “about” is God (Romans 12:1-2). Will doesn’t come anywhere near that conclusion in the movie, but realizing that we need people and they need us is a step toward understanding that we all need God. When we live our lives for Him (through Jesus), everything has meaning. When we live our lives for our own convenience and pleasure, we’re just treading water until we die.
“About a Boy” uses quite a bit of bad language (especially, but not limited to, British swear words). And Will has lots of unmarried sex (nothing ever shown). But the message of the movie is excellent—and a step towards ultimate truth.
Discussion Questions
Are you ever tempted to live a life that’s about nothing?
Name a few of the people in your life who give themselves to you without asking for anything back.
Name a few of the people you give yourself to without asking for anything back.
Why should our lives ultimately be “about God”?
What are some of your favorite British movies?
Do you like Hugh Grant as an actor? Why or why not?
Let us know what you thought of this review!
