THIS BOY'S LIFE

Based on the writer Tobias Wolff's uncompromising autobiographical tale of his childhood, This Boy's Life is a powerful and at times harrowing movie, one that allows the actors involved to turn in some impressive and detailed character-based performances. Foremost amongst these is that of This Boy himself, Leonardo DiCaprio.

Travelling together with his wayward mother Caroline (a headstrong and proud Ellen Barkin), Toby (DiCaprio) endures his adolescence in a variety of downbeat towns and cities, never staying in one place long enough to put down roots. Perhaps because of this he rebels, becoming what the media of the day are calling a "juvenile delinquent": all Elvis bad boy quiff and Brando bad attitude. When his mother meets and marries Dwight (Robert De Niro), it looks as though things might take a turn for the better, Dwight suggesting that Toby should stay with him in the isolated town of Concrete for a while. Caroline agrees, thinking Dwight will teach the boy discipline. However, as soon as they are out of his mother's earshot, Dwight reveals himself as a petty and bitter bully, taking out all his pent-up aggression and frustration on the unfortunate youngster. The rest of the movie concerns Toby's life in Concrete, and his desperate attempts to escape it.

DiCaprio's performance in this film is exemplary. In the first few scenes he convincingly plays a young boy; by the end of the movie he successfully evokes all the surliness of a young adult. His emotional range and ability is outstanding and his performance makes the film that bit more watchable. Which is not meant to detract from the rest of the cast, as generally they are also excellent. Ellen Barkin brings just the right mixture of independence and motherly responsibilities to her role, and De Niro is truly unsettling as the savage and unbalanced Dwight. Ultimately however, it is DiCaprio that makes the movie shine.

This Boy's Life is a thought-provoking and intelligent adult tale, well-observed and judiciously paced. Although concentrating mainly on Toby's plight, it is made all the more powerful and poignant when we consider those that don't manage to escape Concrete: Toby's effeminate and alienated friend, his younger step-sister, even the sad and pathetic specimen that is Dwight himself. Although depressing and brutal in places, the tone of the film is ultimately uplifting and shows an example of the strength of human spirit in the face of hardship.

As a coming of age tale it is good if not brilliant, but the weighty performances of the lead actors in This Boy's Life make it an altogether more rounded and satisfying picture.