About a Boy • The Next Reel

We continue our Romantic Comedy series with a film that really puts that genre to the test — 2002's About a Boy, directed by Chris and Paul Weitz. Is it a RomCom? Is it a comedy drama? Or a RomComDram? It's hard to say, but it is a great film that is full of honesty, heart, and human connection. Join us — Pete Wright and Andy Nelson — as we talk about this great film. We discuss Hugh Grant and Nicholas Hoult as the two leads (who both also co-narrate the film), what they bring to the film, and why they both make everything in the film feel so believable. We talk about the amazing Toni Collette who grounds the film with an amazing character turn that creates a great counterpoint to the growing friendship between Grant's and Hoult's characters. We discuss the Weitz brothers and the interesting paths their directing has taken them. We chat about the cinematography, costume designs, and production design and what they do for the world of this film. And we discuss the great ear worms in this movie. It's a great film, whatever it's genre, and we love talking about it. Tune in! Hey! You know what would be awesome? If you would drop us a positive rating on iTunes! If you like what we’re doing here on TNR, it really is the best way to make sure that this show appears when others search for it, plus, it’s just a nice thing to do. Thanks!! The Next Reel on iTunes The Next Reel on Facebook The Next Reel on Twitter The Next Reel on Flickchart The Next Reel on Letterboxd Guess the Movie with The Next Reel on Instagram Check out the Posters with The Next Reel on Pinterest And for anyone interested in our fine bouquet of show hosts: Follow Andy Nelson on Twitter Follow Pete Wright on Twitter Follow Steve Sarmento on Twitter Check out Tom Metz on IMDB Follow Mike Evans on Twitter Follow Chadd Stoops on Twitter The Next Reel Family of Film Shows:Cinema Scope: Bridging Genres, Subgenres, and Movements | The Film Board | Movies We Like | The Next Reel | Sitting in the DarkConnect With Us:Web | Letterboxd | Flickchart | Instagram | Bluesky | YouTube | DiscordYour Hosts: Andy | PeteMerch Store | Audible