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About a Boy

Growing up has nothing to do with age.

2002 · 101 min · Drama
7.0 Modest
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Drama Comedy Romance

Will Freeman is a good-looking, smooth-talking bachelor whose primary goal in life is avoiding any kind of responsibility. But when he invents an imaginary son in order to meet attractive single moms, Will gets a hilarious lesson about life from a bright, but hopelessly geeky 12-year-old named Marcus. Now, as Will struggles to teach Marcus the art of being cool, Marcus teaches Will that you're never too old to grow up.

Country of origin
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Year
2002
Studio
Universal Pictures · Tribeca Productions · Working Title Films · Kalima Productions

Trivia & behind the scenes

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Origins

The film is directed by brothers Paul Weitz and Chris Weitz, who co-wrote the screenplay with Peter Hedges, adapting Nick Hornby's 1998 novel of the same name.

Music

The soundtrack was composed entirely by singer-songwriter Badly Drawn Boy and released on 23 April 2002.

References

The film also incorporated music from the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? theme, composed by Keith Strachan and Matthew Strachan.

Reception

About a Boy opened the very first Tribeca Festival in New York City on 8 May 2002.

Reception

In the UK, the film opened at number one, grossing £3.7 million ($5.4 million) in its opening weekend, making it the third-highest opening weekend of the year at that point, behind Monsters, Inc. and Ocean's Eleven.

Casting

The role of Will Freeman marked a notable physical transformation for Hugh Grant, then 41, who lost weight and abandoned his trademark floppy hairstyle for a more mature, cropped look.

Reception

In December 2002, the American Film Institute chose the film as one of the ten best movies of the year, and Hugh Grant was named Best British Actor by the London Film Critics Circle and one of GQ's men of the year 2002.

Reception

The film received an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay, along with a Golden Globe nomination for Hugh Grant and a BAFTA nomination for Toni Collette.

Memorable quotes

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Suddenly I realized – two people isn't enough. You need backup. If there are only two people, and someone drops off the edge, then you're on your own. Two isn't a large enough number. You need three at least.

Marcus Explaining why two people aren't enough to form a solid bond.

You're right. You can't help me. How could you? You're a stupid person who watches TV all day and buys things. You don't give a shit about anybody, and nobody gives a shit about you!

Marcus Lashing out at Will in a moment of anger and despair.

I think I killed a duck.

Marcus A deadpan opening confession.

[Thinking] Every man is an island. And I stand by that. But clearly, some men are part of island chains. Below the surface of the ocean they're actually connected.

Will Reconsidering his philosophy of isolation and human connection.

In my opinion, all men are islands. And what's more, now's the time to be one. This is an island age.

Will Expressing his belief in solitude and independence.

I'm a bloody island! I'm bloody Ibiza!

Will Defending his island mentality with absurd conviction.

Me, I didn't mean anything. About anything, to anyone. I knew that guaranteed me a long, depression-free life.

Will Reflecting on his detached and meaningless existence.

It was horrible. Horrible. But driving fast behind the ambulance was fantastic.

Will Finding unexpected joy in a tragic situation.

He fancies you. He told me.

Marcus Revealing Will's romantic interest in someone.

[Regarding the first SPAT meeting] I'll tell you one thing. Men are bastards. After about ten minutes I wanted to cut my own penis off with a kitchen knife.

Will Recounting his distressing experience at a support group meeting.

No, Marcus, I do not want to come over for Christmas. I do not want to spend Christmas with Ms. Granola Suicide and her spawn.

Will Rejecting an invitation for Christmas.

[In the supermarket, his father's song begins to play] Shit! It can't be. November-the-sodding-19. Six weeks before Christmas and already they were playing the bloody thing.

Will Upset about hearing his father's Christmas song too early in the season.

Once you open your door to one person anyone can come in.

Will Warning about the dangers of letting people into one's life.

Ellie: [to Marcus] What did you just say to me? You heard me, squitty little shitty snot-nosed bastard!

Ellie Insulting Marcus with brutal creative language.

Lindsey's Mum: 'Sheikh Yur Az' [Shake your ass]... is he Moroccan?

Lindsey's Mum Misinterpreting a song title as something ethnic.

Fiona: [to Will] You're a selfish bastard.

Fiona Calling out Will's selfishness.

Fiona: [to Marcus] When you sing, it brings sunshine and happiness into my heart.

Fiona Praising Marcus's singing ability.

Lindsey's Mum: Are we having duck? Delicious!

Lindsey's Mum Making an unfortunate comment about duck for dinner.

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