This Boy's Life
"The most gripping coming-of-age movie since Stand By Me." -Pat Collins, WWOR-TV/New York
For Toby Wolff and his divorced mom Caroline, 1950s life wasn’t all fun and games. These two free spirits and cross-country travelers settle in the Pacific Northwest, where life will be better. They hope.
This Boy's Life, the Wolffs' true story, "is every boy's life," the Los Angeles Times' Kenneth Turan wrote. The dynamic teaming of Robert De Niro (Analyze This, Meet the Parents), Ellen Barkin (the Big Easy, Sea of Love) and Leonardo DiCaprio (Titanic, Gangs of New York) sparks this funny, touching slice-of-life drama that pits rebellious teen Toby (DiCaprio) against his tyrannical new stepfather Dwight (De Niro). Directed by Michael Caton-Jones (Memphis Belle, City by the Sea), This Boy's Life is one to remember.
Member Reviews
Well done - Poet
This film brought an unexpected mean streak out of me. I wouldn't condone the actions of the step-father in this movie in real life, but here we had one of my favorite actors abusing one of my least favorite actors. So, I was torn between my feelings for the actors and my knowledge of right and wrong.
Other than that, this was an excellent film. Despite my great lack of appreciation for Leonardo, I must say that he did well here. De Niro, well he showed his great acting skills here also.
All in all, this one is worth the watch.Heartfelt. Honest. Sincere. - cathyottawa
This is a movie about escape - the need for a boy to escape the dead end, small town life that looms in front of him. It's about the impotency of youth - the frustration of being powerless to change your situation. It's about the fear of getting stuck.
Leonardo Dicapprio proves again that he's one of the best actors of his generation in this story based on the memoirs of Tobias Wolff.
Set in the 50s, it's the story of Tobias's formative years living with his free-spirited single mother, played beautifully by Ellen Barkin. She's quite a character - someone who wills herself to sleep when upset, and picks up and leaves her old life behind when ready for a new one.
When Tobias becomes rebellious, and has problems at school, his mother decides the best thing to do is to marry her straight-laced, somewhat dorky boyfriend, to give him the father figure he lacks.
Dorky and eccentric quickly turns into militant and abusive(Robert DeNiro gives a wonderful, creepy performance).
This is a moving tale of one boy's struggle, one mother's regret, and one man's stubborness. Not to give it away, but the ending will leave you satisfied.Powerful Performances - Eamon
De Niro and DiCaprio are wonderful in this movie. Both play difficult roles but represent their character perfectly making this a wonderful movie to watch.
Both De Niro and DiCaprio characters are deep with flaws and at the same time something special. It keeps you on the edge of your seat because of how real it feels.
Member Reviews
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Well done - Poet
This film brought an unexpected mean streak out of me. I wouldn't condone the actions of the step-father in this movie in real life, but here we had one of my favorite actors abusing one of my least favorite actors. So, I was torn between my feelings for the ...Heartfelt. Honest. Sincere. - cathyottawa
This is a movie about escape - the need for a boy to escape the dead end, small town life that looms in front of him. It's about the impotency of youth - the frustration of being powerless to change your situation. It's about the fear of getting stuck.
Leonardo ...Powerful Performances - Eamon
De Niro and DiCaprio are wonderful in this movie. Both play difficult roles but represent their character perfectly making this a wonderful movie to watch.
Both De Niro and DiCaprio characters are deep with flaws and at the same time something special. ...