This Boy's Life

1993
15
1h 55m

IMDb RATING

7.3/10

60K

YOUR RATING

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

49 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.

Director
- Michael Caton-Jones
Writers
- Tobias Wolff
- Robert Getchell
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.3/10

60K

YOUR RATING

Director
- Michael Caton-Jones
Writers
- Tobias Wolff
- Robert Getchell
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 2 wins & 3 nominations total

User reviews110

Featured review

6/10

Great acting

What is best about "This Boy's Life" is the acting. Don't get me wrong, though, the film in itself is also good; it's rather disturbing when you think about the fact that it is based upon a true story. But the acting 1993 must be Leonardo DiCaprio's best year as an actor yet, his portrayal of Toby in this film is very good, and he was absolutely sensational in "What's Eating Gilbert Grape?". Robert De Niro is also very good in the film, he manages to bring forward the brutal side of his character while he also lets the audience know that Dwight is a very childish man. Ellen Barkin is also good. And it was fun to see Tobey Maguire in an early role as Toby's friend -- I didn't even now that he was supposed to be in the film until there he was! Good film with really impressive acting by the three leads. (6/10)

AKS-6
Feb 22, 2000
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Videos3

One Robert De Niro Scene Had a Huge Impact on Carla Gugino

Photos49

+ 41

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Storyline

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Did you know

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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. The three would finally work together in Killers of the Flower Moon (2023).

Goofs
In the film, the children of Concrete go to high school in Chinook, as there is no high school in Concrete. In fact, Chinook is 268 miles away from Concrete, on the opposite end of the state.

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

Connections
Featured in Siskel & Ebert & 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