A true story based on the award-winning book by Tobias Wolff.|Apr. 09, 1993|United States|115 Min.|R
Genre: Drama
Description: “This Boy’s Life,” a 1993 American biographical coming-of-age drama film, is based on the memoir of the same name by Tobias Wolff. Directed by Michael Caton-Jones, the movie features Leonardo DiCaprio as Tobias “Toby” Wolff, Robert De Niro as his stepfather Dwight Hansen, and Ellen Barkin as Toby’s mother, Caroline. This film marked the first on-screen collaboration between DiCaprio and De Niro, who later worked together in other projects like “Don’s Plum” and “The Great Gatsby.” The cast also includes Chris Cooper, Carla Gugino, Eliza Dushku, and Tobey Maguire, with Maguire and DiCaprio reuniting in “The Great Gatsby.”
Set in the 1950s, the story follows Caroline Wolff, a nomadic and unstable woman seeking stability for herself and her son, Toby. After moving to Seattle, she meets Dwight Hansen, who initially appears to be a suitable partner. However, his abusive nature emerges when Caroline leaves temporarily, as he becomes emotionally, verbally, and physically abusive toward Toby. Despite this, Caroline marries Dwight, and they relocate to his home in Concrete, a small town near the North Cascades Mountains.
Dwight’s controlling behavior dominates their lives, yet Caroline remains in the dysfunctional marriage. Meanwhile, Toby befriends Arthur Gayle, a socially awkward and ambiguously gay classmate. As Toby dreams of escaping Concrete to live with his older brother Gregory on the East Coast, he devises a plan to secure scholarships at prestigious prep schools by falsifying his academic records. Arthur assists him in this endeavor, but their friendship becomes strained when Arthur accuses Toby of mirroring Dwight’s traits. Ultimately, Toby secures a full scholarship to The Hill School in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, offering him a chance to leave the toxic environment behind.
Cast director: Michael Caton-Jones
Cast actor: Robert De Niro, Ellen Barkin, Leonardo DiCaprio, Chris Cooper, Jonah Blechman, Eliza Dushku, Carla Gugino, Tobey Maguire, Tracey Ellis, Robert Zameroski
Original name: This Boy’s Life