Review on 🎬 ABOUT A BOY (DVD) (WS) [Region 1]: A Heartwarming Tale of Friendship and Growth by Mike Wallace

This is probably one of my favorite films: a hearty compliment from me as I don't usually like what at first glance looks like light trashy humor. I'm SO happy I stayed for this unique movie treat when I first saw it on TV. Then I watched it *every* time it came on, becoming more and more immersed in the story each time. This is a surprisingly deep and moving film with a multi-layered message. The humor eases some of the tension about how dysfunction manifests itself in different lifestyles. Toni Collette plays the concerned but loving and devoted mother of an intelligent, quirky boy who is bullied at school. She occasionally suffers from depression, sometimes severe. And soooo many films misrepresent this sensitive topic! Hugh plays a rich, often bored, selfish guy who "has everything" but really has nothing because of his instinctive need for love and companionship in his life. She; and this conceited playboy will collide, leading to a touching but not mundane ending. (Another Hollywood rarity). I REALLY enjoy and respect this film. Rookie Nick Holt is great. Hugh Grant is very supportive of the film but takes a step back and Toni Collette is not that well known as an actress. She was phenomenal in that vehicle and shines in EVERY movie I've seen her in. Rachel Weisz was adorable as one of Will's conquests. Now I have a director's DVD and I've watched it over and over again. It's SO rare to see a movie that's completely human and doesn't have to rely on sex, violence, or baseless cursing. The film doesn't even require everyone to look like supermodels. All players are nuanced and delightfully flawed. The London backdrop was the perfect setting (often gray and rainy). And the soundtrack is AMAZING. I bought that too!