About the film

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The movie “ About a Boy “ is different from the book in a lot of ways. Although the main story is the same as the one in the book (for example the names of the characters, the setting, the main problem about Will’s and Marcus’ development, Fiona’s problems etc.) the movie is ( how could it be different?) more “ Hollywood-like! “.This means that the film leaves out a lot of the untypical “movie-stuff”, like conversations between the characters, and replaces these by more emotional Hollywood-scenes, e.g Will dating Rachel.

The significant chapter 33 describing Marcus’ and Ellie’s journey to Cambridge is left out completely. In the book Ellie has a very strong influence on Marcus’ improvement, especially his development of self-confidence. However, in the film Ellie is reduced to a more or less minor character.

In one of the film’s final scenes Marcus is singing “Killing me Softly “ in an embarrassing way in front of a big audience during a school event. To save the unpleasant scene he is joined by Will who does his best to appear like a talented guitarist. This scene, of course, has been chosen to present the star Hugh Grant in a glamorous and comical way.

Many details of the story, the music as well as the clothes and the cars (in the book Will drives a Golf GTI , in the movie it is an Audi TT), have been modernized to meet the audience’s taste of the year 2002. For example, the music of Kurt Cobain and Nirvana, which plays an important role in the book, is neither played nor referred to in the film at all. There is emotional music all over the movie. This sometimes causes a loss of amusement. However, it is a question of the individual’s taste.

But if you don’t mind the typical Hollywood-changes you will see quite a good realization of the book. The jokes which make the book so amusing are adopted to a large extent. And the actors chosen represent the characters brilliantly. Just like you would imagine the characters from the book.

(Hauke Seven)