Film: About A Boy

[Elizabeth]

About a Boy
Role: Ellie
Director: Chris Weitz, Paul Weitz
Released: 2002
Synopsis: A comedy-drama; Will, a rich, child-free and irresponsible Londoner in his thirties who, in search of available women, invents an imaginary son and starts attending single parent meetings. As a result of one of his liaisons, he meets Marcus, an odd 12-year-old boy with problems at school. Gradually, Will and Marcus become friends, and as Will teaches Marcus how to be a cool kid, Marcus helps Will to finally grow up. Ellie is a year 10 student who Marcus has a crush on. After a disasterous encounter ('SHAKE YA UMM!'), the pair become unlikely friends, or as Will puts it; "Owner and pet."

About a Boy on the Web
Imdb: www.imdb.com/title/tt0276751/


Feel free to add your own information about Ellie and any of your favourite quotes!

[vincenzo]

I revisited this the other night and it stands up pretty well. I'm no fan of Hugh Grant at the best of times but his performance in this was excellent.

Nice little in-joke reference to The Sixth Sense too (which co-starred Toni Collette).

A shame Nat wasn't in the film longer. Her character (Ellie) is featured more in the book though the ending was changed for the film. Mainly due to the Kurt Cobain sub-plot being outdated by the time the film was made.

[Elizabeth]

Oh I'm a huge fan of the book version (bagged it for free off the librarian at school woo ). I didn't know about the film ending being different until I read the book, but it is a shame it was too out of date as the book ending was fantastic.

[vincenzo]

I agree Beth. The ending of the book was extremely good. The alteration for the film seems to divide people though to be honest I find both work pretty well.

Nat's character is far better fleshed-out in the book though she turns out to be pretty dark at the end (I won't post spoilers for those who haven't read it).

[Elizabeth]

Ahh I realised something rather weird. In the film version, Will is mad at his first single-mum girlfriend because she is late to the new IMAX film. In the book however, he is mad cus she is late for 'Mike Leighs' new film, and I remember the book was set in 1993 so I am guessing that the Mike Leigh film he is refering to was NAKED, starring, of course, Mr Thewlis

[vincenzo]

There's a great reference to The Sixth Sense in the film as well. During his narration Marcus refers to Haley Joel Osment. Osment was the boy in Sixth Sense and his mother was played by..... Toni Collette (Marcus's mom). ;D

Hugh Grant was actually considered for Lockhart in COS. Do you think this would have worked?

[franzi]

@ Beth: thats funny fate seems to lead them together ...lol ;D ;D ;D

@ vincenzo:I think it would be funny to see Hugh Grant playing Lockhart...
but I am a fan of Kenneth Branagh and I loved him as Lockhart, he did an awesome job.

[vincenzo]

I agree Franzi. Branagh can be over the top at times but I found his 'flamboyance' perfect for Lockhart. His first wife went on to play Trelawney and his ex-partner became Bellatrix. Quite a few HP connections there.

Ewan McGregor was considered for Lupin at one time but instead it went to that David something bloke. ;D ;D