Bovie Movie

Nick Hornby’s answer to Bridget Jones gets the Brit flick treatment here from a surprising source, with American Pie directors Chris and Paul Weitz at the helm and Robert De Niro’s Tribeca Productions as a backer. But, unlike the Americanised version of Hornby’s High Fidelity, this movie remains on home turf. Hugh Grant is on excellent form as Will, 30-something singleton and the most shallow middle-class man in Christendom — or more specifically, north London — who intends to use single-parent support groups to pick up women. One of his would-be conquests introduces him to Marcus (Nicholas Hoult) — a troubled boy with a suicidal mother, played by Toni Collette — who forcibly “adopts” the unwilling Will. All goes surprisingly well until the confirmed bachelor falls for single mother Rachel Weisz, which puts a strain on their friendship. Genuinely funny and moving, this is both an endearing examination of masculinity and a challenge to male isolationism. 

If you thought Dumb and Dumber or There’s Something about Mary plumbed the depths of grossness, hold on to your lunch — you ain’t seen nothing yet. This laughter-packed comedy about four teenage boys who pledge to lose their virginity before prom night has enough crass gags to satisfy the most demanding fans of Porky’s-style farces. Yet it also boasts some spot-on performances from a hip young cast that includes Chris Klein, Mena Suvari, Tara Reid and Natasha Lyonne. The title refers to one of the more eye-widening sequences, in which Jim (Jason Biggs) gets a bit too friendly with his mom’s apple pie. This is definitely not one to show granny, but must-see fare for those not easily offended.