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Hugh Grant always comes across as the charming but infinitely bumbling and rather foppish "English guy" in that increasingly common subgenre of hybrid British-American comedy-dramas, from FOUR WEDDINGS & A FUNERAL to NOTTING HILL.

In the latest film in which he stars, the smart and funny ABOUT A BOY, he enjoys the same kind of role, though without the usual stutters and clumsiness. Cast as Will, a late-thirty-something moneyed layabout whose life is empty bar shopping, being pampered and serial dating, it's one of Grant's better performances yet.

Directed and co-written by siblings Chris and Paul Weitz (AMERICAN PIE), ABOUT A BOY is the third big-screen adaptation of a Nick Hornby novel. It's also a US/UK co-production of Robert DeNiro's Tribeca Films and Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner's Working Title (the company responsible for FOUR WEDDINGS and BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY). With credentials like these, it's not hard to see why critics on both sides of the Atlantic have paid such close attention to the film. And they've liked what they've seen!

As the title suggests, the film is about a boy. Well, two boys, to be precise. Grant's character is nothing but a big, spoiled boy in desperate need of growing up. Also growing up, though he's young so there's no real hurry, is the bright but awkward 12-year-old Marcus (Nicholas Hoult).

Their paths collide when Will, deciding that single mothers are the easiest romantic conquests on the dating scene, fabricates a two-year-old son and joins a group called S.P.A.T. (Single Parents Alone Together). This scheme leads to meeting Suzie (Victoria Smurfit) and Marcus, the son of her best friend, Fiona (Toni Collette).

Slowly Marcus and Will start to warm to each other, that is, until Will meets another single mother, Rachel (Rachel Weisz), and attempts to pass Marcus off as his son. Things, of course, go completely awry. Will's attempts to win Rachel's heart and make amends with Marcus makes for hilarious viewing, as he finds himself in one embarrassing situation after another. In this role, no actor could be better suited than Grant.

The film is gorgeously shot and accompanied by an outstanding soundtrack by Badly Drawn Boy (aka Damon Gough). All in all, ABOUT A BOY makes for excellent entertainment - go see it!

For more information, see the official movie website: http://www.about-a-boy.com/

What the international critics are saying:

"A hugely rewarding experience that's every bit as enlightening, insightful and entertaining as Grant's two best films - Four Weddings and a Funeral and Bridget Jones's Diary."
- Louis B. Hobson, JAM! MOVIES

"Beautifully written and directed and packed with excellent performances."
- Mark Adams, HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

"Using a stock plot, About a Boy injects just enough freshness into the proceedings to provide an enjoyable 100 minutes in a movie theater."
- James Berardinelli, JAMES BERARDINELLI'S REELVIEWS

"Hugh Grant, who has a good line in charm, has never been more charming than in About a Boy."
- Roger Ebert, CHICAGO SUN-TIMES

"Hilarious, acidic Brit comedy."
- Jonathan Foreman, NEW YORK POST

"A hip, whip-smart entertainment."
- Ann Hornaday, WASHINGTON POST