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That Nick Hornby's so hot right now. After the success of High Fidelity, Hollywood couldn't pass up on the opportunity to cash in the #2 writer out of the UK (behind our friend J.K. Rowling, of course). And thus, the visual storytelling of About a Boy was born.

For those out of the loop, this movie is about a listless, cynnical, fiscally endowed 30-something and his unexpected relationship with a young boy. Will, played by Hugh Grant, is perfectly content having no close relationships and spending his day grooming himself and watching the telly. When a young boy, played by Nicholas Hoult, stumbles into his life, everything changes. I'm hoping you can fill in the blanks from here on out.

There were two pleasing results from this film. The first was the acting by Hugh Grant. Personally, I was skeptical of his ability to play this role or any role with substance (especially after seeing Extreme Measures). Surprisingly, he pulled it off. He had no problem being a rich priss, but also managed to be compassionate and multidimensional in his stint as Will. He was more than believable.

The second nice surprise was that the film was enjoyable. It may seem that I'm playing the cynic now, but I just didn't have high expectations from the directors of American Pie. One thing they have mastered in their previous experience is comedic timing. About a Boy is fluid and the punchlines are accentuated by the directors' style. My favorite scene is when the boy is singing "Shake Ya Ass" on his new discman while struting down a high school hallway. Utter Brilliance.

The sibling directors do try my patience with some of their generic, trite camera tricks. I don't mind an unusual use or placement of a camera, so long as it is motivated by the scene. When Marcus, the boy, signs up for a talent show the directors decide to have the camera slowly spin from an inverted position back to a righted one. The only possible motivation would be that his new relationship with Will and his failing relationship with his mother have turned his life upside down, but even the suggestion of this being literally translated through a camera makes me want to toss my cookies.

I could offer up a few other grievances, but in a movie of this scope they are inconsequential. About a Boy is a fun movie. Cute, some might say. Hugh Grant was well cast and carries the movie with an air of maturity, even if his character lacks it. This is a perfect date movie, which makes it a wasted opportunity for me. So I hope that all of you budding young couples can pick up the slack and hold hands whenever you get scared or there's a kiss. However you enjoy it, I guarantee you a pleasing two hour experience.