Hey folks, Harry here and this sounds like a damn fine comedy. It'll be nice to see Rachel Weisz get a non-genre hit to begin to develop even more parts. I enjoy Rachel's work on screen quite a bit, and though generally I'm not a fan of Hugh Grant's work... I tend to think I don't like him, but more often than not... I like his work immensely. But for some reason I often forget that. Here's a look at his next film...
Harry,
I had the honor of seeing Hugh Grant's next film, "About a Boy" a few days ago and wanted to express my impression of it...
The only thing I knew about this movie is that it starred Hugh Grant, Toni Colette, Rachel Weisz and that it is based on a book by Nick Hornby. It wasn't until I arrived that I found out that it was directed by the Weitz bros. Suddenly the dreamy state of anticipation turned to an off-kilt dread. I was hoping for a nice Mike Newell or Stephen Frears brit comedy in the ilk of Notting hill and Four weddings...now I wasn't so sure.
I am glad to say I was wrong.
This was a work print(they always say that though) but as far as I could tell, it look pretty damned finished. Hugh plays Will--a blank slate if you will. He is his own island and loves every unit of his bachelorhood. He does nothing. He lives very well off royalties from a x-mas song his father wrote years before. Will discovers that single mothers are great dating fodder and decides to make up a young son and attend single parent groups to meet women. He does and it works...only just. He soon meets a boy named Marcus who is the son of a clueless depressed hippie played by Toni Colette and his world is suddenly thrown into hiliarious chaos...
He boy who played Marcus is superb. He embodies all the dread and love and pathos his character should but maintains an inner strength you don't expect. Always suprising that boy is. Hugh Grant is a cross between his Notting hill character and his Bridget Jone's one. He is a sweet cad--but we all love Hugh like this don't we? What can I say about Toni Colette? She is always amazing. She is both clueless and iniversal at the same time. She loves her son dearly but hasn't a clue how bad his life really is and knows she had to give up a little piece of control to help him. Rchel Weisz who plays Rachel--she is radiant here! She comes in the last 1/4 of the film and illuminates the screen. her son is HILARIOUS! You'll see...tantrum scene is excellent!!
The thing that suprised me the most is the Weitz bros. Forget that forgettable Chris Rock film and American Pie...this is their best most accomplished work to date. I was in awe of the composition of the frame. The montages and the photography are really quite special here. They use reflections and lighting to really hit home sentiment without hitting it over your head. Beautifully done from start to finish.
And that's not the best thing...
The best thing in my ever-so-humble opinion is the soundtrack. You know when a movie and it's music are synonmous with one another? Like the Graduate...my particular favorite? That is what you get here. The music for "About a boy" was written and performed by Badly Drawn Boy and it was stellar!!!! Top form, mate! I felt transported to 1967 and was watching the Graduate for the first time. It makes the movie ten times better. They work together perfectly. I can't say enough good things about it.
This movie fits right in with Notting Hill and Four Weddings. All around greatness in every dept. It comes out in the spring and should do very well.
Truly.
take care,
Mook Murdoc
