About a Boy

2002 PG-13 1h 42m Blu-ray / DVD

About a Boy

2002 PG-13 1h 42m Blu-ray / DVD
  • Overview
  • Details
Hip, irresponsible Londoner Will invents an imaginary son and starts attending single-parent meetings to find available women. But when Will meets the troubled 12-year-old son of a depressed single mother, a quirky and unexpected friendship blooms.
Cast
Hugh Grant, Nicholas Hoult, Toni Collette, Rachel Weisz, Isabel Brook, Victoria Smurfit, Sharon Small, Augustus Prew, Natalia Tena, Nicholas Hutchison
Director
Chris Weitz, Paul Weitz
Format
Blu-ray• DVD
Screen
Widescreen Anamorphic 2.35:1
Subtitles
English, Spanish (Neutral)
CC
Yes
Audio
English: Dolby Digital 5.1, French: Dolby Digital 5.1
Screen
Widescreen 2.35:1
Subtitles
English SDH, Spanish (Neutral)
CC
No
Audio
English: DTS 5.1 HD, French: DTS 5.1 Surround
Rating
PG-13 - Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. Parents are urged to be cautious. Some material may be inappropriate for pre-teenagers. PG-13 - Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. Parents are urged to be cautious. Some material may be inappropriate for pre-teenagers.
age 14+
Common Sense rating OK for kids 14+

You may also like

age 14+

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that About a Boy is a 2002 movie based on a novel by Nick Hornby in which Hugh Grant plays a self-centered playboy who starts to become a better person after meeting a misfit 14-year-old with a depressed and suicidal mother. There's some strong language (including two uses of "f--k"), including profanity used by teenagers. Some sexual references (Will is an unabashed love-'em-and-leave-'em guy). A parent is clinically depressed and attempts suicide, and her child feels responsible. Another child becomes hysterical about the prospect of his mother dating. Marcus' mother fears that Will has an improper interest in Marcus. There are some brief molestation insinuations. Characters drink and smoke.

Sexual Content

Sexual references -- main character starts as a cad. Mild sex talk between teenagers.

Violence

Suicide attempt by one character who swallows pills, is shown passed out on a couch. Marcus is harassed/bullied by boys at school-- they kick a soccer ball that hits him in the head, chase him down the street, throw candy at his head. Lead character hit in head with an apple.

Language

"F--k." "F--king hell." "S--t." Kids say "s--t," "piss off," "crap" British slang like "bollocks." Molestation insinuations.

Social Behavior

The shallowness of materialism is shown, as is the emptiness of short-term relationships centered exclusively on sexual gratification; traits like thoughtfulness and consideration are shown to be much more desirable and important. Marcus has the conviction to be a vegetarian, and is willing to sing a song in front of his entire school that he knows will isolate him even further and expose him to ridicule because he believes it will make his mother (who is suffering from depression) happy.

Consumerism

Will cares a lot about fancy products/brands. He purchases a pair of Sketchers shoes for Marcus in the hopes of making him fit in with his classmates. Talk between a mom and son about going to McDonald's to eat a Big Mac.

Drugs / Tobacco / Alcohol

Main character's father is shown as an alcoholic, but only in a brief flashback. Beer and wine drinking at holidays or at dinner. Cigarette smoking.

  • Age appropriate
  • Not an issue
  • Depends on your child and your family
  • Parents strongly cautioned
  • Not appropriate for kids of the age

This information for parents is provided by Common Sense Media, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving kids' media lives.

How it works

  • 1

    Create your list

    Browse from thousands of movies and shows.

  • 2

    Free delivery

    We send out your disc the next business day.

  • 3

    Watch and repeat

    Free returns, plus no due dates or late fees.

Unlimited movies sent to your door, starting at $9.99 a month.