Available on Blu-ray Disc (Region B)UK/USA/France 2002 English (Colour); Comedy/Drama/Romance (Universal/StudioCanal/Tribeca/Working Title); 101 minutes (12 certificate)Crew includes: Paul Weitz, Chris Weitz (Directors); Peter Hedges, Chris Weitz, Paul Weitz (Screenwriters, adapting Novel by Nick Hornby **** [8/10]); Jane Rosenthal, Robert De Niro, Brad Epstein, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner (Producers); Nick Hornby, Lynn Harris (Executive Producers); Remi Adefarasin (Cinematographer); Jim Clay (Production Designer); Nick Moore (Editor); Badly Drawn Boy (Composer)Cast includes: Hugh Grant (Will Freeman), Toni Collette (Fiona Brewer), Rachel Weisz (Rachel), Nicholas Hoult (Marcus Brewer), Isabel Brook (Angie), Sharon Small (Christine), Victoria Smurfit (Suzie)Academy Award nomination: Adapted Screenplay; BAFTA nominations (2): Supporting Actress (Collette), Adapted Screenplay; Golden Globe nominations (2): Picture - Musical/Comedy, Actor - Musical/Comedy (Grant)"Growing up has nothing to do with age."During attempts to meet available women, a shallow, irresponsible bachelor (Grant) reluctantly strikes up a friendship with the unhappy, misfit son (Hoult) of an eccentric, suicidal hippie (Collette), which is jeopardised when he unexpectedly falls in love.Not your typical British romcom, as the important relationship here is between man and boy, and what they learn from (and teach) one another, with a never-better Grant clearly relishing his newly-nurtured caddish ways first demonstrated in BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY.Collette also shines in a difficult role that could have been played unsympathetically, while the dual narration works well in this excellent, largely faithful (except for the ending) adaptation of Hornby's 1998 novel.Blu-ray Extras: None. ½ (1/10)

This week I watched About A Boy (2002). This is a dramedy- romance flick. A rich, noncommittal ladies man meets his opposite in an outcast boy who changes his life for the better. Will Freeman, played by Hugh Grant, wishes to lead a life where he has no attachments to other humans as a self described "island." His plans are miserably interrupted by a young boy named Marcus Brewer whose mother has been deeply troubled. Will tries to push Marcus out of his life like every other person, but unsuccessfully. Marcus wanted Will to possibly marry his mother to save her from depression and loneliness. Neither of their plans end up working out, but the two end up being an enormous influence in the life of the other. I think the part of the movie that I found the most moving was the very real depression that comes over people and the darkness of the reality that surrounds us. To me it shows that we really have to choose happiness in as many ways as we can. I fill that the film fits well into its category. It spans across the drama-comedy-romance quite nicely. The one thing I felt that this film could improve upon is its blocking. Sometimes the actors movements felt uncomfortable, but it was easily masked with the dialogue. This was indeed done by professionals.

About a Boy is a 2002 comedy-drama film co-written and directed by brothers Chris Weitz and Paul Weitz. It is an adaptation of the 1998 novel of the same name by Nick Hornby. The film stars Hugh Grant, Nicholas Hoult, Toni Collette, and Rachel Weisz. The film at times uses double voice-over narration, when the audience hears both Will's and Marcus's thoughts. Will is a 36-year-old underachiever with a fear of commitment that leads him to seek out relationships with single mothers, on the assumption that they are more desperate. However, plans go awry when he befriends with Marcus, the weird 12-year-old son of his latest target. Soon, Will and Marcus become friends, and as Will teaches Marcus how to be a cool kid, Marcus helps Will finally to grow up.

About a Boy is a heart-warming comedy film starring Hugh Grant and introducing Nicholas Hoult. The film tells a tale of the unlikely connection between a 30something man who's got it all, without ever having done a hard days work in his life, and thinks of himself as an 'island' and a peculiar 12 year old boy who struggles at the mercy of bullies and his depressed mother. Whilst this may seem like an unlikely duo, Grant and Hoult manage to pull it off perfectly. The film is well scripted, making sure that it delivers comedy and seriousness at a good level without one over-balancing the other and without ruining the book written by Nick Hornby of which this film was based off of. As well as top performances from Hugh Grant, Nicholas Hoult, Toni Collette and Rachel Weisz, the film also contains excellent music performed by Badly Drawn Boy. The music used in the film further enhances the scenes and emotions that are being conveyed. The main message in the film, is to further prove a famous quote from Jon Bon Jovi stating that "No man is an island.". We learn from watching the characters themselves, especially Will, how true this quote is and the importance of having others in your life. I've seen this film countless times and each and every time I find that I'm smiling at the end. While it may not be perfect, it's certainly one of Hugh Grant's best performance and provides a heart-warming message.