About a Boy

Please, tell us what you thought of this movie below.

About a Boy.    Directed by Chris Weitz and Paul Weitz.  Universal Pictures, 2002.  101 Minutes. 

Genre:  Comedy, Drama, Romance

Rating:   PG-13

Twelve-year-old Marcus has attached himself to shallow, mid-thirty-year-old Will who, for the moment, eases Marcus’ troubles with bullies, his suicidal mother, and a recently deceased duck.  When Will is unable to see past his own problems to help Marcus the two go their separate ways, until Marcus makes a decision that will be sure to end in his own social suicide.  

About a Boy inspires audiences to believe that you’re never too young to help those you care about and you’re never too old to grow up.

Discussion: 

·         We hear it all the time, “act your age.”  Does that bother you?  What does that really mean?  Is there a difference between age and maturity?

·         Was there ever an adult that you envied?  Why was that?  Was it because of what they had or what they did?

·         Marcus experiences several challenged in the book.  If you could be his friend and talk to him what would you say?  What would you want him to say to you?

About a Boy was based off a book by the same title by Nick Hornby.  It is not considered a Children’s or a Tween book, but if you are interested, give it a whirl!  It’s very funny, well-written, and by the same author who wrote High Fidelity and An Education- other cool books that were made into movies!

Hornby, Nick.  (1999).  About a Boy. New York:  Penguin.  ISBN:  1573227371

And is it just me, or does this story line seem reminiscent of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? You know, poor boy, indulgent man, learning to trust...no?

Dahl, Roald.  (1964).  Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  Alfred A. Knopf, Inc.  ISBN:  0394910117

Actvity idea:  What do you like about yourself and what do you hope will change in the years to come?  Write a letter to your future self, and place the letter in a sealed envelope that is not to be opened for 10, 20, or 30 years.  When you open it it will be like you’re having a conversation with the younger version of you, because you are!  You can e-mail your letter to a friend a vice versa, and agree on a age when you send them back to other eachother to avoid temptation.

About a Boy Trailer from: Youtube

Book cover art link: Powell's Books, http://www.powells.com/biblio/1573227331