About a Boy

Will Freeman enjoys a carefree life at the age of 38, living off royalties from a Christmas song composed by his father. He spends his time indulging in various leisurely activities, avoiding responsibilities and commitments.

During a conversation with his friends Christine and John, Will bluntly refuses their request for him to be the godfather of their newborn child. This rejection reinforces his self-proclaimed identity as a shallow bachelor unwilling to engage in serious relationships.

Determined to avoid parental duties, Will starts dating a single mother named Angie. Their brief relationship serves as a stepping stone for Will, leading him to explore the world of single parenting further.

To boost his dating prospects, Will attends a single-parents group while falsely claiming to be a father to a fictitious two-year-old son named Ned. This lie sets the stage for his complicated interactions with other single parents.

At a picnic organized by the single parents group, Will meets a peculiar boy named Marcus, who inadvertently kills a duck while trying to feed it. This event spirals into a chaotic moment where Will tries to conceal the incident from the other parents.

After returning from the picnic, Will and Suzie find Marcus's mother, Fiona, in a concerning state after an overdose on pills. This shocking discovery highlights the struggles that Marcus faces at home with his unstable mother.

In a desperate attempt to stabilize his mother's mental health, Marcus confronts Will, trying to blackmail him into dating Fiona. This misguided effort reflects Marcus's struggles and introduces Will to the challenges of parental responsibility.

Despite his initial aversion, Will begins to form a bond with Marcus, especially after Will helps Marcus buy shoes to fit in at school. This moment marks the beginning of their unexpected friendship though it leads to complications.

Marcus faces bullying at school and struggles with trying to fit in, ultimately finding solace in a friendship with a Goth girl named Ellie. His feelings for Ellie complicate his already tumultuous life at home and in school.

Will develops an interest in a woman named Rachel, further complicating his fabricated story about being a father. In an effort to impress Rachel, Will continues to pretend that Marcus is his son, leading to additional complications in their lives.

As Will's deception emerges, he and Marcus have a significant confrontation where Will is unable to provide emotional support for Marcus's struggles. This moment cements the fractures in their relationship, calling into question Will's commitment to helping Marcus.

Determined to help his mother, Marcus decides to sing at the school variety show, a decision met with dismay from his friends. His plan is rooted in a deep desire to bring joy to Fiona, despite the ridicule he may face.

During the school variety show, Marcus performs a rendition of 'Killing Me Softly,' initially facing mockery from his peers. Will joins him on stage with a guitar, showing support and turning the performance into a moment of acceptance.

The film culminates a year later with a Christmas gathering at Will's home, featuring Marcus, Rachel, and other key characters. This festive moment signifies Will's transformation and acceptance of relationships beyond just superficial connections.

In the closing moments, Will reflects on the idea that while every man may be an island, some are interconnected. His bond with Marcus exemplifies the importance of support systems in life, challenging his earlier beliefs.