About a Boy

I've been a Hugh Grant fan since Notting Hill. His light-hearted style of humor is perfect for his role as Will in the film About a Boy. The book was an entertaining read, mixing both humor and levity. The film is a wonderful adaptation, true to the book in plot and message. The choice to provide narration by both main characters allows the audience into their head. Without this narration, sharing the book's sweet philosophies would have been difficult. The only noticeable change was the absence of Kurt Cobain and Nirvana, but including that plot line would date the movie, so its omission is understandable.

There was an added scene in the movie where Will is 'volunteering' for Amnesty International, and he is flirting over the phone. A character from this scene is then introduced at the end as a potential match for Fiona. Both additions were humorous and sweet.

Will's philosophy of life - filling units of time - is emphasized in the movie, and is a clear definition of his character. His honesty in telling his friends he'll probably want to 'shag' their daughter in 18 years was implied in the book, but spelled out in the movie. The symbolism of 'singing with your eyes closed' is as prominent in the film as it is in Hornby's book. At the end of the book Will says he will probably be soon 'singing with his eyes closed'. But in the film we get to see it happen (at the school talent show) and the moment is very emotionally satisfying.

We know in the text that Will cares for Marcus, but he never admits as much. In the film there is a wonderful moment where he 'sees the light' and rushes to find Fiona and try to straighten her out, since Fiona obviously matters so much to Marcus. He talks to her of his own free will (instead of being tricked into it by Rachel) and we begin to see him for the wonderful man he can be.

There is break with Rachel in the movie where there was none in the book, and Will wins her back when he tries to save Marcus' performance in the school variety show. When he first meets Rachel he admits to the audience that "caring for Marcus had opened the way to caring for others". This is implied in the book, but hearing it confirmed provides closure to Will's "carefree" but meaningless lifestyle.

Our glimpse into the future - Marcus relaxed and among friends (including the infamous Ellie), 100% less dweeby than he was; Rachel and Will, happily dating; Rachel's son chatting with Will and Marcus - is just one aspect of the movie that makes it a feel-good story, with less of the cynicism and darkness that is sprinkled throughout the book.