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Review #191, Movie #257
This Boy's Life
This Boy's Life
Year Of Release
1993
1993
Director
Michael Caton-Jones
Michael Caton-Jones
Producer
Fitch Cady, Art Linson
Fitch Cady, Art Linson
Writer
Tobias Wolff, Robert Getchell
Tobias Wolff, Robert Getchell
Cast
Leonardo Di Caprio, Robert De Niro, Ellen Barkin, Jonah Blechman, Eliza Dushku, Carla Gugino, Zack Ansley and Toby Maguire
Leonardo Di Caprio, Robert De Niro, Ellen Barkin, Jonah Blechman, Eliza Dushku, Carla Gugino, Zack Ansley and Toby Maguire
Notes
This film was Toby Maguire's motion picture debut. He initially auditioned for the lead role but was cast as a friend of the lead instead, with the lead eventually going to Di Caprio.
Even though Di Caprio was nearly 19 years old during filming, he was still a growing boy, and was a few inches taller in some scenes than in in others... causing him to have to slouch in some scenes to preserve continuity.
This film was Toby Maguire's motion picture debut. He initially auditioned for the lead role but was cast as a friend of the lead instead, with the lead eventually going to Di Caprio.
Even though Di Caprio was nearly 19 years old during filming, he was still a growing boy, and was a few inches taller in some scenes than in in others... causing him to have to slouch in some scenes to preserve continuity.
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After Caroline Wolff's divorce and a string of failed relationships, she and her son Tobias (Tobi) travel America in the hopes that whatever town they end up in next will bringthem happiness.
Upon arriving in Seattle, Tobias manages once again to get into trouble but along the way, Caroline meets Dwight Hansen, a charming, overly self-made but respected single Father.
Upon arriving in Seattle, Tobias manages once again to get into trouble but along the way, Caroline meets Dwight Hansen, a charming, overly self-made but respected single Father.
At first things go well between Caroline and Dwight, and after an initial cold reception from Tobi, Dwight eventually makes an impression on Tobi...
... until Caroline and Dwight get serious and start talking about marriage, and Tobi ends up spending a few days with Dwight and his children in Concrete, Washington.... and under the false front of wanting to "make Tobi a better person and stop his bad behaviour", Dwight starts abusing Tobi mentally and emotionally...
... but when Caroline and Dwight tie the knot and they all move in together, bully Dwight begins to show his real personality...
Based on the true story of Tobias Wolff (who wrote the original book)... This Boy's Life is a highly engaging and also a highly uncomfortable and borderline disturbing look at the realities of what happens behind closed doors.
For a start, the fact that it's based on reality makes the whole thing much more believable and much more hard hitting.
The screenplay and scripting feels realistic and the sequence of events that lead to the highly charged ending are also developed extremely well.
The screenplay and scripting feels realistic and the sequence of events that lead to the highly charged ending are also developed extremely well.
The character developement is also top notch. The film is based mainly on the character developments rather than just story and script... the arcs of the various characters are incredibly realistic and make the movie.
Dwight in particular has been written fantastically throughout the running time... his persona and the changes it goes through are incredibly recognisable and at times are very disturbing.
I've known people like Dwight's character, and the overal treatment given to the character is incredibly realistic... which I think is what makes it all the more uncomfortable.
Especially when he uses mundane and regular everday things to use as ammo to pick on Tobi. Even stealing Tobi's paper-round money and using the excuse that he's "saving" it for him for the future.
I've known people like Dwight's character, and the overal treatment given to the character is incredibly realistic... which I think is what makes it all the more uncomfortable.
Especially when he uses mundane and regular everday things to use as ammo to pick on Tobi. Even stealing Tobi's paper-round money and using the excuse that he's "saving" it for him for the future.
Which brings me to the acting.
De Niro as Dwight... wow. His mood changes and general swing in attitude from one scene to the next is fantastic. He also gives an incredibly realistic take on the almost psychotic side of the character.
His chemistry, good and bad, with anyone on screen with him is awesome, especially though when he's up against Di Caprio's rebellious side.
De Niro as Dwight... wow. His mood changes and general swing in attitude from one scene to the next is fantastic. He also gives an incredibly realistic take on the almost psychotic side of the character.
His chemistry, good and bad, with anyone on screen with him is awesome, especially though when he's up against Di Caprio's rebellious side.
Ellen Barkin is also good as Caroline. She becomes more of a background as the film progresses... still though, her small role is pivotal and used well.
Leonardo Di Caprio stands out though obviously as Tobias... his overall development is very realistic and very recognisable. Di Caprio absolutely shines as the 1950s problem child with genuine problems. His general attitude is also top notch, especially in the third act when Tobi begins to genuinely rebel against Dwight.
He plays off De Niro brilliantly too.
Leonardo Di Caprio stands out though obviously as Tobias... his overall development is very realistic and very recognisable. Di Caprio absolutely shines as the 1950s problem child with genuine problems. His general attitude is also top notch, especially in the third act when Tobi begins to genuinely rebel against Dwight.
He plays off De Niro brilliantly too.
Back up comes from Eliza Dushku, Carla Gugino, Zack Ansley as Dwight's children and Jonah Blechman makes a memorable appearance as a rather effeminate friend of Tobi's.
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All in all, not a great film... it's a brilliantly realistic film. The overall character development and overall storytelling mixed with some awesome acting from Di Caprio and De Niro makes the film an absolute must see. I've seen similar circumstances in real life and can honestly say, this film is by far the closest take on the subject matter of abusive parents.
Highly recognisable in terms of script sequence too...
Highly recognisable in terms of script sequence too...
A very well made drama.
My rating: 94%
