Review of This Boy's Life (1993) by Jon C — 08 Apr 2018

The film debut for Leonardo DiCaprio.

At such a young age he's so incredible playing the real life figure of Tobias Wolffe.

This is a movie about starting over, surviving abuse and neglect, and escaping to a better life.

Robert Deniro and Ellen Barkin are just as magnificent, too.

Toby and his mother have had a rough life with her being so many men that were monsters, her newest boyfriend, Dwight seems perfect but slowly his rage and physical violent aggression starts to show its ugly face.

Toby's mom says they have to learn to appreciate the good stuff since she's hit a brick wall and can't run away anymore.

Yet Toby wants to get out of the town of Concrete since he feels like an alien worried that if he stays he'll die knowing he didn't do enough with himself.

The scenery is lovely, the music is soothing, the actors have some heavy but weighty material, and shows how much someone can handle putting up with so much.

The 1950's setting with the youth culture helps the mood as well.

Toby is another one of those youthful rebels begging to be heard and to matter.

This is a moving film and an excellent start for DiCaprio to show how much talent he has as a performer.