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This Boy's Life

  • 19931993
  • RR
  • 1h 55m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
52K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,671
298
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Ellen Barkin in This Boy's Life (1993)
Home Video Trailer from Warner Home Video
Play trailer1:59
3 Videos
50 Photos
  • Biography
  • Drama

The story about the relationship between a rebellious 1950s teenager and his abusive stepfather, based on the memoirs of writer and literature Professor Tobias Wolff.The story about the relationship between a rebellious 1950s teenager and his abusive stepfather, based on the memoirs of writer and literature Professor Tobias Wolff.The story about the relationship between a rebellious 1950s teenager and his abusive stepfather, based on the memoirs of writer and literature Professor Tobias Wolff.

IMDb RATING
7.3/10
52K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,671
298
  • Director
    • Michael Caton-Jones
  • Writers
    • Tobias Wolff(book)
    • Robert Getchell(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Robert De Niro
    • Leonardo DiCaprio
    • Ellen Barkin
Top credits
  • Director
    • Michael Caton-Jones
  • Writers
    • Tobias Wolff(book)
    • Robert Getchell(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Robert De Niro
    • Leonardo DiCaprio
    • Ellen Barkin
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 103User reviews
    • 47Critic reviews
    • 60Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 2 nominations

    Videos3

    This Boy's Life
    Trailer 1:59
    This Boy's Life
    This Boy's Life
    Trailer 0:31
    This Boy's Life
    One Robert De Niro Scene Had a Huge Impact on Carla Gugino
    Video 2:29
    One Robert De Niro Scene Had a Huge Impact on Carla Gugino

    Photos50

    This Boy's Life (1993)
    This Boy's Life (1993)
    Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Ellen Barkin in This Boy's Life (1993)
    Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Ellen Barkin in This Boy's Life (1993)
    Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Ellen Barkin in This Boy's Life (1993)
    Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Ellen Barkin in This Boy's Life (1993)
    Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Ellen Barkin in This Boy's Life (1993)
    Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Ellen Barkin in This Boy's Life (1993)
    Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Ellen Barkin in This Boy's Life (1993)
    Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Ellen Barkin in This Boy's Life (1993)
    Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Ellen Barkin in This Boy's Life (1993)
    Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Ellen Barkin in This Boy's Life (1993)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Robert De Niro
    Robert De Niro
    • Dwightas Dwight
    Leonardo DiCaprio
    Leonardo DiCaprio
    • Tobyas Toby
    Ellen Barkin
    Ellen Barkin
    • Carolineas Caroline
    Jonah Blechman
    Jonah Blechman
    • Arthur Gayleas Arthur Gayle
    Eliza Dushku
    Eliza Dushku
    • Pearlas Pearl
    Chris Cooper
    Chris Cooper
    • Royas Roy
    Carla Gugino
    Carla Gugino
    • Normaas Norma
    Zachary Ansley
    Zachary Ansley
    • Skipperas Skipper
    • (as Zack Ansley)
    Tracey Ellis
    Tracey Ellis
    • Kathyas Kathy
    Kathy Kinney
    Kathy Kinney
    • Marianas Marian
    Robert Zameroski
    Robert Zameroski
    • Arch Cookas Arch Cook
    • (as Bobby Zameroski)
    Tobey Maguire
    Tobey Maguire
    • Chuck Bolgeras Chuck Bolger
    Tristan Tait
    • Jerry Huffas Jerry Huff
    Travis MacDonald
    • Psychoas Psycho
    Richard Liss
    • A & P Manageras A & P Manager
    Michael Bacall
    Michael Bacall
    • Terry Tayloras Terry Taylor
    Adam Sneller
    • Terry Silveras Terry Silver
    Gerrit Graham
    Gerrit Graham
    • Mr. Howardas Mr. Howard
    • Director
      • Michael Caton-Jones
    • Writers
      • Tobias Wolff(book)
      • Robert Getchell(screenplay)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    In 1957, a son and mother flee the East and an abusive boyfriend to find a new life, and end up in Seattle, where the mother meets a polite garage mechanic. The boy continually gets into trouble by hanging out with the wrong crowd. The mom marries the mechanic, but they soon find out that he's an abusive and unreasoning alcoholic, and they struggle to maintain hope in an impossible situation as the boy grows up with plans to escape the small town by any means possible. Based on a true story by Tobias Wolff. —Ed Sutton <esutton@mindspring.com>
    • 1950s
    • husband wife relationship
    • mother son relationship
    • stepfather stepson relationship
    • voice over narration
    • 97 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • He looked like the ideal husband. He seemed like the perfect father. That's just what they needed. But that's not what they got.
    • Genres
      • Biography
      • Drama
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated R for strong language and sexuality
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      When Robert De Niro saw Leonardo DiCaprio's acting in this movie, he called Martin Scorsese to tell him about the kid and he must check him out. Scorsese has since said that this was very unusual as De Niro wouldn't normally have this level of praise for a fellow actor.
    • Goofs
      The injured finger that's still bandaged months later in the timeline of the story.
    • Quotes

      Dwight Hansen: I know a thing or two about a thing or two!

    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Cop and a Half/The Adventures of Huck Finn/Jack the Bear/The Opposite Sex How to Live with Them/Intervista (1993)
    • Soundtracks
      Let's Get Away from It All
      Written by Tom Adair and Matt Dennis

      Performed by Frank Sinatra

      Courtesy of Capitol Records

      By arrangement with CEMA Special Markets

    User reviews103

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    Blockbuster Rental February, 1999
    I liked this film. I was able to relate not only to the young boy, Tobias Wolff, but also the stepfather Dwight. This film brought back memories of myself growing up when I was that age, as well as memories of being an errant father myself raising a son.

    After viewing the movie twice, I checked out the book at the library and read it.

    I feel that the film followed the storyline of the book quite well. Robert DeNiro did a superb job of protraying Dwight, as did Leonardo DiCaprio protraying Jack.

    I recommend viewing this film by anyone who is raising a teenage son, so as to give some insight to the pitfalls that adolescence will challenge a father. Don't wait until after you have already raised your son, as then it is too late to benefit from the knowledge you will gain from this excellent story.
    helpful•39
    14
    • Marcus-39
    • Mar 4, 1999

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 23, 1993 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Cuộc Đời Chú Nhóc
    • Filming locations
      • Concrete, Washington, USA
    • Production companies
      • Knickerbocker Films
      • Warner Bros.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $4,104,962
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $74,425
      • Apr 11, 1993
    • Gross worldwide
      • $4,104,962
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 55 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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    Aug 26Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews

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