"This Boy's Life" is a 1993 coming-of-age drama film based on the memoir of the same name by Tobias Wolff. The film tells the story of Toby Wolff's tumultuous teenage years growing up in the 1950s, living with his abusive stepfather, Dwight, and his attempts to escape his difficult home life.

Plot

The movie revolves around the life of Toby Wolff, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, as he navigates the challenges of adolescence while living with his single mother, Caroline, portrayed by Ellen Barkin. Caroline is a woman who is looking for love and security but makes several poor choices in partners, leading her to marry Dwight Hansen, played by Robert De Niro. Toby initially believes that Dwight will provide stability, but he soon realizes that his stepfather is abusive and controlling. The film depicts Toby's struggles to survive in this challenging environment and his attempts to break free.

Performers:

Leonardo DiCaprio as Toby Wolff

Robert De Niro as Dwight Hansen

Ellen Barkin as Caroline Wolff

Jonah Blechman as Arthur Gayle

Eliza Dushku as Pearl Wolff

Chris Cooper as Roy

Carla Gugino as Norma Hansen

Tracey Ellis as Kathy

Director

The film was directed by Michael Caton-Jones.

Screenwriter

The screenplay for "This Boy's Life" was written by Robert Getchell, based on Tobias Wolff's memoir.

The film received critical acclaim, particularly for the performances of the cast, including a breakout role for Leonardo DiCaprio. It explores themes of family dysfunction, abuse, and the resilience of youth. "This Boy's Life" is often remembered as an early indication of DiCaprio's talent and potential as an actor.

Trailer