Delightfully surprised by this
Flicked "This Boy's Life" on TV just before I'd resigned myself to bed. Intrigued by the 50's setting and the strong performances I ended up staying awake till 3:00am to watch it. Glad I did. The story is engrossing stuff and has so much relatability that I wasn't surprised to learn it was autobiographical by the end.
The cast were terrific and Di Caprio was a damn strong lead. I don't know how people can dismiss him because of his "Titanic" role or the horrendous "Man In The Iron Mask", as they clearly have not seen what a diverse range he has. As Toby he is brooding, brattish and angsty, and yet minutes later he is lost, scared and vulnerable. Ask Daniel Radcliff to play that role at the age Leo was and there's no way he'd generate a sympathetic character from the material. I could completely empathise with Toby and his mother, and the subtle affection and admiration he holds for her is heart warming amidst all the hostility they both endure. I also appreciated that the relationship with the violent Dwight was never black and white, until the end was in sight and he was ready to escape. It contained peculiar moments of ambiguity which I think is more true to life.
Humourous, witty, sad, desperate, harrowing...and triumphant. Great film. Tough life!