Review of This Boy's Life (1993) by Kate E — 13 Feb 2011

If you were to see this movie with a blank mind, without any expectations what so ever, it is possible that you'd tolerate it (who knows, maybe even enjoy it) but for those who have read Tobias Wolff's memoir stay far away. Somehow, this film is able to leave out the most interesting and compelling themes within the novel whilst including and explaining with depth rather redundant happenings. Though the acting is fairly well done, the character development and entire feel of the book is lost within the grasps of this bland and boring enactment.

What was a depressing story of a dark childhood was turned into a patriotic feel good movie in which everybody leaves the cinema with a warm fuzzy feeling deep in side. Disappointing.