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Amazon.co.uk Review
Robert De Niro gets top billing, but young Leonardo DiCaprio is the revelation of This Boy's Life, an astute, often painful drama of growing up in the 1950s Pacific Northwest, based on the autobiographical novel by Tobias Wolff. DiCaprio plays Tobias, a good kid with a bad boy streak but an unwavering love for his divorced mother (Ellen Barkin). "I want to be a better boy", he promises from under a greasy pompadour, and tries to prove it when she marries single father Dwight (DeNiro), a bully who parents through intimidation and humiliation. A pre-Titanic DiCaprio is magnetic in his first starring role, full of anger, hope and confusion as he drifts back to juvenile delinquency and his intensity gives the true story of survival and triumph its charge. DeNiro is frightening and pathetic as Dwight, and Dwight's youngest daughter is played by future star and vampire slayer Eliza Dushku. --Sean Axmaker
Product Description
Based on the memoirs of writer Tobias Wolff, This Boy's Life is the powerful tale of a rebellious teenage boy growing up in the 1950s with an abusive step-father. The film features a legendary performance from Robert De Niro, alongside a young Leonardo DiCaprio in his first leading role.
Having drifted from town to town and various different relationships, single mother Caroline and her son Toby eventually move to Seattle where she meets Dwight. The couple marry but her husband's veneer of respectability soon fades to reveal a bullying, violent tyrant.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
After seeing De Niro in performances such as Raging Bull, Goodfellas and The Godfather part II I knew he was a great actor and although this may not be his best performance it is definitely one of his best.
De Niro stars alongside a young Di Caprio (Gangs of New York, Titanic) and both renowned actors pull off sensational performances in this gripping family issue driven drama.
De Niro plays Dwight, a confidant but harsh man who sees Concrete as the best place to straighten out the naughty arrogant teenager, superbly portrayed by Di Caprio.
Barkin (Drop dead gorgeous, mercy) is astonishing as the depressed and sometimes cheerfully positive mother. Playing a character that has different personalities is remarkable and one scene where she confronts De Niro is remarkably brilliant.
I think this film worked so well because of the acting but mainly the story was a picture perfect of real life situations and what some families have to go through in their lives. This story is based on a real life of Tobias Wolff and because it is, it allows audience to accept the harsh and truthful ideologies put forth by director Caton-Jones (Rob Roy)
It is a very emotional story which reflects what some people are really like. We watch the arrogant teenager of Di Caprio, the harsh and brutal man De Niro and the troubled mother Barkin all perform greatly.
It is a very brutal film with many scenes of physical and physiological violence. There are many ideologies about bullying, discipline, work ethics, financial, living conditions and many other conventional real life situations.
Di Caprio's character is varied in some senses, acting as a typical teenager and getting up to trouble which allows his character to be believable and likable. His playful innocence and insecurity add up to a brilliant performance by the talented actor.
I was touched and shocked at many points by the plots twists and turns and can't believe that this is what some people go through in their lives, it is a remarkable story, not for the light hearted and I recommend it to anyone who has a taste for films which concentrate deeply on real life scenarios.
8/10
De Niro stars alongside a young Di Caprio (Gangs of New York, Titanic) and both renowned actors pull off sensational performances in this gripping family issue driven drama.
De Niro plays Dwight, a confidant but harsh man who sees Concrete as the best place to straighten out the naughty arrogant teenager, superbly portrayed by Di Caprio.
Barkin (Drop dead gorgeous, mercy) is astonishing as the depressed and sometimes cheerfully positive mother. Playing a character that has different personalities is remarkable and one scene where she confronts De Niro is remarkably brilliant.
I think this film worked so well because of the acting but mainly the story was a picture perfect of real life situations and what some families have to go through in their lives. This story is based on a real life of Tobias Wolff and because it is, it allows audience to accept the harsh and truthful ideologies put forth by director Caton-Jones (Rob Roy)
It is a very emotional story which reflects what some people are really like. We watch the arrogant teenager of Di Caprio, the harsh and brutal man De Niro and the troubled mother Barkin all perform greatly.
It is a very brutal film with many scenes of physical and physiological violence. There are many ideologies about bullying, discipline, work ethics, financial, living conditions and many other conventional real life situations.
Di Caprio's character is varied in some senses, acting as a typical teenager and getting up to trouble which allows his character to be believable and likable. His playful innocence and insecurity add up to a brilliant performance by the talented actor.
I was touched and shocked at many points by the plots twists and turns and can't believe that this is what some people go through in their lives, it is a remarkable story, not for the light hearted and I recommend it to anyone who has a taste for films which concentrate deeply on real life scenarios.
8/10
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
An excellent film about the frustrations of growing up, made worse by a destructive step father who is in all honesty a right bastard!! and one who enjoys one to many tinnys lol De Niro is excellent, but the real star of this film is decaprio who shines through out this film ive never been a fan of his work but the guy has earned my respect and he is truly a fantastic gifted actor and should of won an oscar for his role in this film i am not one to give away the full story when it comes to reviewing films as so many other reviewers do SHAME ON YOU GUYS!!! all i am going to say is if u have not seen this film then buy it now!! and if u have seen it and dont own it again buy it as it's a fantastic story of both courage and the will to survive...
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This film is one of the best of the early 1990s. It has become a cult film.
It is also one of the best that Leonardo DiCaprio has ever starred in.
Sadly (as of July 2010) it has been deleted on DVD and is only available 2nd hand, which is a shame.
The film has everything, laughter, sadness, sunshine, music, it's a feel good film that also makes you sad at times. You get to like the characters (apart from De Niro's) and it leaves you wanting more.
I currently have this on VHS but will be paying for the DVD soon as I like it too much not to own it.
It is also one of the best that Leonardo DiCaprio has ever starred in.
Sadly (as of July 2010) it has been deleted on DVD and is only available 2nd hand, which is a shame.
The film has everything, laughter, sadness, sunshine, music, it's a feel good film that also makes you sad at times. You get to like the characters (apart from De Niro's) and it leaves you wanting more.
I currently have this on VHS but will be paying for the DVD soon as I like it too much not to own it.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Very Good
The DVD and delivery were up to the expected high standard. The film is slightly less star worthy than my memory had it but is still well worth another viewing, and a few more in... Read more
Published 5 months ago by David
US Imports
Unable to view it because it was a US import - why bother sending it. Couldn't be bothered to return it, in case the same thing happened again!
Published 9 months ago by marbe
Fab film
Leonardo Di Caprio is amazing in this film, a tue star.
Both Robert Di Denero and Ellen Barkin are also great and it's a believable and often sad story. Read more
Both Robert Di Denero and Ellen Barkin are also great and it's a believable and often sad story. Read more
Published on 8 Mar 2010 by S. Jones
I loved it!!
What gripped me is the fact that it is a true story.
I had already read the book and loved it. Read more
I had already read the book and loved it. Read more
Published on 29 Jan 2010 by David Marr
Great Film
De niro is intense as always, hilarious and brilliant at the start as the pathetic dwight courting ellen barkins character, then turning cruel and tough with an ease only someone... Read more
Published on 5 Nov 2007 by Steve Warren
A mirror
A very good film about the frustrations of growing up, made worse by a destructive father. De Niro is excellent and reminds me of my own father, unfortunately these people do... Read more
Published on 4 April 2005
This Great Film
This Boy's Life is true story of how a boy struggled through childhood. He had highs and lows and worse part was having this stepfather [robert deniro]that he hated and was even... Read more
Published on 22 Sep 2003 by Henry Bedford
De Niro & De Caprio = Delight
With Robert De Niro as the stepfather and Leonardo De Caprio as the stepson, this is an amazing true story, set back in the 1950's. Read more
Published on 25 Oct 2002 by "liz88uk"
Brilliantly written
A cast at their best...here we find that a fantastic story really does float with emotion and realism, i most definetly recommend 'Imaginary crimes' to back this one up when your... Read more
Published on 7 Aug 2000 by youthbomb1969@yahoo.co.uk
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