This Boy's Life Reviews

(MU) De Niro, wants to kill or to teach Di Caprio, almost a simile of the plot. Tobias or Jack (the boy's 2 names) really templates his character arounf Dwight/De Niro while mixing with local boys with no future including a gay one...

A wonderfully made film, the subject matter not so much. You really feel a sense of empathy and remorse for both Tobias 'Jack' Wolff, and his Mother all throughout this film; even during the opening scene from Jack's VoiceOver which details why they're moving. Unlike myself about a year ago, if you read the plot before actually watching this movie it'll be quite predictable once we, as the audience, are introduced to Dwight Hansen. But if you don't, only about a quarter into the film your prediction of the ending will become pretty clear, if not accurate.

The acting as well! Man, it was amazing and I'm sure I'd rate this film much lower if the actors who didn't play the antagonists weren't casted. Robert De Niro was brilliant as always, I can tell he put some study into the man he was portraying and I damm hope he was proud of it. As soon as I got to see who Dwight Hansen truly was, I fully loathed the self-centred, bullying jerk he is and couldn't wait to see Caroline and Jack be avenged, and karma coming for him. I don't think I've ever been as angry with someone's attitude as I've had with Dwight's so this is an emotion truly only either De Niro and Al Pacino can make me feel. Leonardo DiCaprio was exceptional in this film as well. You see, unlike many of his fellow heartthrobs of the mid to late 90s DiCaprio could actually play his given role pretty damm well, and this fortunately was one of them. Even the actors of Caroline and Dwight's children were realistic in their performances, and for a film based on a true story this element was strongly needed.

Overall, I enjoyed This Boy's Life. I wouldn't call it a masterpiece but it is a raw, underrated film that showcases domestic and mental abuse quite realistically. Definitely one I'd recommend, unless you want a light-watch (for me it was, but for the several people I've watched it with stated they found it to be the opposite and the subject themes heavy.).

Way before Leonardo DiCaprio became one of the most interesting actors of his generation thanks to a bunch of great movies directed by Martin Scorsese and even before he became a massive teen idol with ‘Titanic’, he actually got his breakthrough with this feature. On top of that, you didn't get only to see a very young DiCaprio shining here but also the great Robert De Niro (at the time, De Niro was still doing some pretty good job and he wasn’t only focusing on getting some fat paychecks). So, it was quite an awesome clash of two acting monsters from 2 different generations and those guys did a terrific job. To be honest, the plot was a little too pederstrian and predictable to be truly remarkable but it was entertaining enough and those guys were just great and rather spellbinding to behold. Eventually, DiCaprio will definitely break down the house with ‘What's Eating Gilbert Grape’ (still easily his best performance so far) and the rest is pretty much history. To conclude, even though I don’t think it is really a masterpiece, it still a very solid drama and it is definitely worth a look, especially if you like the genre.

A excellent movie, however hard to watch. Leonardo Dicaprio plays young Jack, who's life is anything but a happy one. Robert De Niro plays Dwight boyfriend to Jacks mother, later husband. An abusive man overbearing and harsh. He makes everyones lives hell, this is a wonderful film. A great watch, you will cheer on Jack and hate Dwight.