Why not as popular as Grant's others?

Good question... I like those other movies you mentioned- but this is my favorite Hugh Grant movie also.... I don't know... I mention this movie to anywone I can... let's spread the word together.

I think it's just not as popular because his movies are a little fluffy in tone, but this one deals with mental health issues (among other things) and people in general are uncomfortable with topics like that. Most people don't go into see a Hugh Grant film to deal with realistic, deep situations; they're going for a fun bit of escapism or whatnot. That's my best guess, anyway.

Shame, too, because it's not only my favourite of his movies, but one of my favourites of all time (not to mention how amazing Toni Collette was).

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I find it strange that this little gem never found a bigger audience. In my opinion it's one of the best Hugh Grant movies. Love his work in Maurice, Remains of the Day, Sense and Sensibility and About a Boy. Not so crazy about Four Weddings, Notting Hill or Love Actually.

I love this film too! It may become more popular now with the new US TV show, which looks horrible in promos, a string of one-liners with no heart. I hope people will be curious and take the time to watch the movie.

I ignored the film simply because it had a kid in it and that he would be the total focus of the film. Romantic comedies usually focus on two or more consenting adults working things out.

I was working at a video store when this came out and I was constantly trying to push this movie on to other people, but most people just weren't that interested. The people that did watch it liked it, it was just getting people to watch it that was hard. I think part of it is Hugh Grant. I hate the guy and it was a long time before I started watching any movie he was in. My mom had 'The Englishman That Went Up The Hill But Came Down A Mountain' and one day I was bored, so I watched it and thought it was pretty good. I saw 'Love Actually' while working at the video store. It's sappy as hell, but it's still pretty good. Then, whilst working at said store, I decided to watch 'Four Weddings and a Funeral' and 'Notting Hill'. Both were really good movies. I told my friends that they're good, but they always gave me a weird look. When 'About a Boy' came out, I didn't know anything about it when I watched it. Not a damn thing. I was blown away by it, though, and kept telling people that it was great, but, maybe it was the box cover or the fact that Hugh Grant is in it or the lack of advertising, people just ignore it.

I think, the short answer is, it just didn't do well at the box office. I saw it in the theatre years ago and was so sad that the theatre itself was so empty. I loved it and loved the ad campaigns but noticed they pumped up Rachel Weisz in the ads after the first week or two.

It just seemed to fly under the radar, which was such a shame, because the movie was superb and moving, and holds up every bit as well 12 years later today. I just saw it again a few days ago and realized what a wonderful movie it was.

My favorite thing about it -- aside from the great acting, writing and production is that, for me, it never went in predictable directions. And it's never sweet at the expense of honesty. It's always real about people's foibles, about Will's (AND Marcus's) selfishness. I love that Will doesn't fall for Fiona. And even after he's fallen for Rachel W., the only person he admits to caring about is Marcus, and that's so moving from this particular character at this moment (someone who cares for very few people at all). In a quiet way, he risks so much when he goes on that stage to help Marcus. He is acting like a father would.

I still love the movie, love the soundtrack, and think everything here was perfect. Even Hugh Grant's casting is perfect -- one of the things I like about him (and give him full credit for) is that he is willing to play the film as sharply and acerbically as he does. A lot of actors would have tried to keep it "sweet" and "likable," but Will's honesty is part of what makes him so refreshing and so funny to witness. (Like when he dares to tell Toni Collette she's a "daft cow" and that she's "wounding his soul" at a key moment, etc. -- these comments being directed at a semi-suicidal woman!)

It's a great movie, everyone was wonderful, and remains a favorite of mine.

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I keep thinking I'm a grownup, but I'm not.