Starring: Hugh Grant, Nicholas Hoult, Toni Collette and Rachel Weisz

Rated: PG-13 for brief strong language and some thematic elements

Running Time: 102 minutes

Released: 2002

When you live a certain way for a certain amount of time you get in the frame of mind that that’s simply the way things are. You could be 14, you could 40; the fact remains that you do something long enough, as far as you know, that’s how things will continue to be.

That is, unless you change it. But how many of us actually change? Most of us are stubborn and set in our ways, for better or for worse. So if we do alter our lives, it’s usually not on our own, but with the help of another. That’s sort of what “About A Boy” is all about. Changes.

Will (Hugh Grant) lives off the royalties of a Christmas song his late father wrote back in the 50’s. It allows him a lifestyle where he doesn’t have to work, only buy whatever he wants and watch TV all day. We should all be so lucky.

You’ve heard the expression, “No man is an island”? Well, Will believes everyone should be an island, especially in today’s world of personal luxury. He’s stuck to that philosophy so well that he’s successfully isolated himself from anything resembling emotion whatsoever. He leads a shallow life and is all too comfy with it to try and change.

Then we have Marcus (Nicholas Hoult), a young teenager who lives with his single, emotionally disturbed mother (Toni Collette.) He’s somewhat of an island, too, only he doesn’t want to be. He wants to have friends, a social life, but he’s a tad eccentric and is considered the outcast at school. It also doesn’t help that his mother inadvertently embarrasses him in front of his classmates and walks around the house sobbing uncontrollably.

Through happenstance, the two meet when Will dates a friend of Marcus’ family. Marcus takes a liking to him, but Will thinks he’s essentially a weirdo, much like everyone else does.

Things come to a head for Marcus when he comes home one afternoon and finds his mother half dead after trying to commit suicide. All things considered, he takes it pretty well, even when she returns from the hospital and tries to play it off like it’s not a big deal.

On a whim, Marcus decides to call Will, asking him to take both he and his mom out to lunch. Will really wants nothing to do with it, but decides to indulge him.

If Will were to have his way things would’ve ended there; but Marcus is persistent and soon after the two of them begin hanging out. And wouldn’t you know, Will, albeit stubbornly, decides he likes having people in his life.

The more time goes by, the more the two learn from each other and help to get the other off their proverbial “islands.” There are ups and downs, of course, but if you want to get off an island you have to be prepared to get your feet wet.

It’s humorous for the most part, in a clever sort of way, but it’s not a straight-up comedy. But while it deals with some pretty heavy subject matter, like the aforementioned suicide attempt, it’s a positive movie overall.

As if you needed more incentive to watch it, it’s also based off the novel by Nick Hornby. Anyone who’s a fan knows how well he writes people.

Thankfully, that translates to the screen. You have characters who are actual people, not fake representations some screenwriters think pass for you and I (watch any “Lifetime” movie if you need examples).

Hugh Grant does a great job of not playing the bumbling, aloof type he’s known for. And while, yes, there is a slight romantic angle involved between him and the character Rachel Weisz portrays, it’s not overbearing like that movie he and Sarah Jessica Parker have out now. This isn’t cookies ‘n’ cream Hugh, this is Hugh for people who find cookies ‘n’ cream to be nauseating.

Sounds like a fine line, I know, but you’ll have to trust me here. If “About A Boy” were another version of “Music & Lyrics,” I certainly would not be wasting your time.

So do yourself a favor, leave your island behind and check out “About A Boy.”