This Boy's Life

R

1993

1 hr. 55 min.

Drama

LGBTQ+

List

76%

37 Reviews

Tomatometer

80%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

In the 1950s, Toby (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his mom, Caroline (Ellen Barkin), move to the state of Washington. There they meet mild-mannered Dwight (Robert De Niro), who falls in love with Caroline. They're married, and, after some initial happiness in the household, it becomes apparent that Dwight believes violence is the best way to discipline his troubled stepson. Unfortunately, Caroline is unwilling to give up on her marriage. As Dwight's abuse intensifies, Toby plans an escape.

Read More

Read Less

Watch on Fandango at Home

Premiered Feb 20

Buy Now

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Apple TV

Rent This Boy's Life on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV.

Critics Consensus

A harrowing, moving drama about a young boy, his single mother, and his abusive stepfather, This Boy's Life benefits from its terrific cast, and features a breakout performance from a young Leonardo DiCaprio.

Read Critics Reviews

Audience Member

I remember watching this over 5 years ago and rather enjoying it seeing a young Leonardo DiCaprio make way for himself A boys life can be whatever he wants it to be despite all the challenges involved Director Michael Caton-Jones adapts the true story of Tobias Wolff played by Leo himself co-starring with Ellen Barkin, Chris Cooper, Carla Gugino and Robert DiNiro Even a young Eliza Dushku and Tobey Maguire make their first appearances here It's 1957 and Toby and his mother Caroline move to Washington Caroline then meets a mechanic Dwight and falls in love But soon after Dwight becomes more demanding and creates a firm grip on both of them Toby wants to go to college in Pennsylvania on a full scholarship to make something of himself but Dwight is trying to diminish his dreams forcing him to stay stuck Caroline is also reluctant to separate from him This is a very good memoir about a young boy learning to grow up, adjust, asserting his independence, and being brave DeNiro perfectly plays an abusive alcoholic monster hitting both this mother and her son by any physical or emotional means He has his own insecurities and his manhood The last scene is very much the most intense cause it gets so dyer The film succeeds thanks to its unique cast and breakout performance by DiCaprio, he had the right amount of angst and emotion acting as a reservoir of conflict and feelings of displacement All he wants is to belong somewhere It's the epitome of being a teenager acting like everyone else just to fit in even if it means hurting others Who's the real insecure child here and who's the adult doing what's right? You gotta reach for the flames and take it otherwise you lose it forever Could've been shortened to an hour and a half and the abusive scenes are hard to watch But Jones makes a very atmospheric drama thats very-well acted showing it's never easy to grow up past childhood trauma but it's possible

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/23/24

Full Review

Dean C

I'm glad I discovered this hidden gem with 2 of my favourite actors, a young Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/25/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I remember watching this 5 Ravi and rather enjoying it seeing a young Leonardo DiCaprio make way for himself A boys life can be whatever he wants it to be despite all the challenges involved Director Michael Caton-Jones adapts the true story of Tobias Wolff played by Leo himself co-starring with Ellen Barkin, Chris Cooper, Carla Gugino and Robert DiNiro Even a young Eliza Dushku and Tobey Maguire make their first appearances here It's 1957 and Toby and his mother Caroline move to Washington Caroline then meets a mechanic Dwight and falls in love But soon after Dwight becomes more demanding and creates a firm grip on both of them Toby wants to go to college in Pennsylvania on a full scholarship to make something of himself but Dwight is trying to diminish his dreams forcing him to stay stuck Caroline is also reluctant to separate from him This is a very good memoir about a young boy learning to grow up, adjust, asserting his independence, and being brave DeNiro perfectly plays an abusive alcoholic monster hitting both this mother and her son by any physical or emotional means He has his own insecurities a ii his manhood The last scene is very much the most intense cause it gets so dyer The film succeeds thanks to its unique cast and breakout performance by DiCaprio, he had the right amount of angst and emotion acting as a reservoir of conflict and feelings of displacement All he wants is to belong somewhere It's the epitome of being a teenager acting like everyone else just to fit in even if it means hurting others Who's the real insecure child here and who's the adult doing what's right? You gotta reach for the flames and take it otherwise you lose it forever Could've been shortened to an hour and a half and the abusive scenes are hard to watch But Jones makes a very atmospheric drama thats very-well acted showing it's never easy to grow up past childhood trauma but it's possible

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/23/23

Full Review

Jelisije J

A good coming of age story of a young man dealing with an abusive stepfather and going through the trials of being a teenager.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

Full Review

Audience Member

“Shut your pie hole”

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/29/21

Full Review

Audience Member

Stunning performances by De Niro and, especially, DiCaprio fill the story with the highest possible tension and vitality. The story is tough and hard to watch from time to time, but nevertheless keeps you attached and invested.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/05/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

Michael Caton-Jones

Director

Robert De Niro

Dwight Hansen

Ellen Barkin

Caroline Wolff Hansen

Leonardo DiCaprio

Tobias "Toby" Wolff

Jonah Blechman

Arthur Gayle

Eliza Dushku

Pearl

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

50%

65%

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

63%

80%

The Sum of Us

21%

50%

Sleep With Me

64%

83%

Priest

90%

93%

Farewell My Concubine

TRAILER

for Farewell My Concubine

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

"Halo" Has a Director!

Levinson & De Niro to Pair Up for Tinseltown Satire

Get Ready for Another Dose of "Basic Instinct"

View more photos

David Ansen

Newsweek

The beauty of This Boy's Life is in the details: this meticulously observed story gets the look of the late '50s down pat and, more important, captures the dissonance between the era's ideals of nuclear-family life and painfully deracinated reality.

Jan 29, 2019

Full Review

Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: C

Sep 7, 2011

Full Review

Richard Corliss

TIME Magazine

Something more subtle is going on in Wolff's book, a confrontation with a richer, quirkier past and his emerging self that the movie too often brushes aside.

Feb 8, 2010

Full Review

Nick Rogers

Midwest Film Journal

The film demands ominous electricity between Dwight and Toby, the latter of whom endures various and sundry humiliation and harm at the former's hands. And there are times when DiCaprio doesn't just go toe-to-toe with De Niro but feels just as tall.

Rated: 4.5/5

May 5, 2013

Full Review

TV Guide

This is powerful and moving stuff.

Rated: 3.5/4

Feb 8, 2010

Full Review

Film4 Staff

Film4

De Niro and Birkin are reliable in this atmospheric drama, but it's DiCaprio who really shines.

Feb 8, 2010

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

In the 1950s, Toby (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his mom, Caroline (Ellen Barkin), move to the state of Washington. There they meet mild-mannered Dwight (Robert De Niro), who falls in love with Caroline. They're married, and, after some initial happiness in the household, it becomes apparent that Dwight believes violence is the best way to discipline his troubled stepson. Unfortunately, Caroline is unwilling to give up on her marriage. As Dwight's abuse intensifies, Toby plans an escape.

Director: Michael Caton-Jones
Executive Producer: Peter Guber, Jon Peters
Screenwriter: Robert Getchell
Production Co: Warner Bros.
Rating: R
Genre: Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 19, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $3.7M
Sound Mix: Surround

Most Popular at Home Now