"About a Boy" An unexpected chemical reaction that transcends age differences. Why are movies with great combinations of popular actors and child actors so interesting?

Masterpiece of the famous child actor x B. Murray “What Vincent Taught Me”

In this way, the combination of ``child actors and famous actors'' can be said to be the ``golden plate'' of movies. However, there is a strong tendency to rely on it too much because it is too iron-clad, and it is often difficult to find a masterpiece among a mixture of stones. What is important is that there is always an equal balance between the great actors and the child actors, without giving too much weight to either. Also, on the set, a relationship that goes beyond the movie was built, and the chemistry between the two was clearly imprinted. I would like to introduce the 2014 work `` What Vincent Taught Me '' as a masterpiece that satisfies both of these criteria.

The film tells the story of the friendship between a young boy, Oliver (Jaeden Lieberher), and a lonely old man, Vincent (Bill Murray), who lives next door. However, as usual in Murray's films, things don't always go smoothly, and even in his 60s, this famous actor who took the world by storm with his role in Ghostbusters(1984) continues to amaze audiences with his easygoing demeanor. He continues, and even when his partner is a child actor, he never loses ground.

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On the contrary, even though his role is to take care of a young boy as a babysitter, he never disrupts his traditional life and takes him to racetracks and bars with him without a care in the world. However, the boy learns a lot from this lonely old man and gradually expands his perspective on the world. Although the two have completely different personalities, by becoming "best friends" they fill in the gaps in each other's hearts.

The film also has no shortage of behind-the-scenes anecdotes. Murray, who like Hugh Grant in "About a Boy" has publicly stated that he hates children, famously developed a close bond with his co-star Jaden. The most heartwarming thing of all is that before filming the film's most memorable scene, Murray takes Jayden to a corner of the room and says, ``Come here for a second,'' and uses his own meditation method to help him breathe and concentrate. He is said to have taught me.

``He was a bit strange, but he was funny and kind,'' Jaden said. It's truly wonderful to see their relationship that gradually builds up in this way beautifully expressed on screen.

"About a Boy" (c)Photofest / Getty Images

What both ``About a Boy'' and ``What Vincent Taught Me'' have in common is that adults and children eventually begin to seem like ``adults and adults'' and ``children and children.'' is. Furthermore, the positions may be completely reversed, and the child may seem like an older person who is more concerned than the adult.

Although the medium of film is fiction, it is also something that cannot be lied to. On screen, the relationship is revealed more deeply than the people themselves expected. The actors in both films understand this. The reason why we feel the bond between Will and Marcus, or Oliver and Vincent, is so passionate that it goes beyond the movie is probably because these factors work so perfectly.

Text: USHIZU ATSUNOBU

Born in Nagasaki in 1977. When he was 3 years old, he saw ``Superman II'' with his father and became fascinated with movies. After The Graduate from Meiji University, he worked for a movie broadcasting channel and then became a movie writer. Currently, in addition to writing for Eiga.com, EYESCREAM, Real Sound Movie Club, etc., he also contributes to media press and theater programs.

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(c) Photofest / Getty Images