About a Boy is very cleverly written. It is a comedy but maintains a serious air. This is because it involves important subjects like depression.
It is a story about a 38-year-old man, who is the ultimate batchelor - Will (Hugh Grant). He has never worked, but lives off the royalties of a christmas jingle that his dad wrote on 1958. He has a flat full off gadgets, a flash car (an AudiTT to be precise), trendy clothes, lots of money and eats in posh restaurants 24/7. He has few moral values. The whole film is based around the quote "No man is an island". Will strongly disagrees with this. He believes he is an island. He likes to think he is Ibiza.
He has no plans for a family or children.
But that is all about to change. He meets 12-year-old boy called Marcus (Nicholas Hoult). His mum, Fiona (Toni Collette) is depressed so he seeks refuge at Wills flat. They gradually form a relationship. Will sort of becomes a 'surrogate father' to Marcus. Then Will meets a women called Rachel (Rachel Weisz). Rachel is then lead to believe that Will has a son.
Marcus helps him out by pretending to be Wills son.
Then, in a bid to make his Mum happy, Marcus sings in a school concert. He basiclly commits social suicide to make his Mum happy.
Then, at the last moment, Will saves the day.
In the end, Marcus becomes more socially able, and has lots more friends, and Will learns many moral values.
This movie will make you laugh and cry. I think it is a story that everyone can relate to. It appeals to a wide range of people and has something for everyone. It is funny, yet serious which is something you don't find in many movies.
And, most importantly, it has Hugh Grant. He is more better looking than ever. He is styling a new hair cut, is still toned and muscly, and is still as great. After all, we loved him since 'Four weddings and a funeral'. He has changed his role type and has gone from the lovably, stumbling English gentleman to a tougher, more morally questionable batchelor. And in the end, women love him and men want to be him!