About a Boy

Will Freeman drives away in his Audi TT. The corner of Sekforde Street and Aylesbury Street in Clerkenwell EC1.

Peter captured the same place now, with added clutter.

The batchelor with independent means heads to visit his friends, Christine and John. Looking towards Clerkenwell Green from Sekforde Street in London.

The same location by Peter.

Outside the fictional Finsbury Comprehensive School, Fiona (Toni Collette) says goodbye to her son, Marcus (Nicholas Hoult). Broomhill Road, Wandsworth SW18.

Rebuilt houses. But in the far background the north entrance to the Arndale Centre, now Southside can be seen. It was being refurbished at the time of shooting the film. I missed this shot on my first visit back in 2015 and can barely believe it took me over 5 years to return. SJ

Marcus tells his mother that she doesn't have to walk him to school. Broomhill Road. The buildings in this view have been replaced.

And here are the new buildings. SJ

Fiona shouts 'I love you' much to her son's embarrassment. West Hill School on Broomhill Road in Wandsworth SW18.

Taken through the very locked gates. SJ

Will Freeman (Hugh Grant) enters a restaurant for another date. Sutherland Avenue near the corner with Maida Vale, London W9.

It changed its name to Otto shortly after filming if I remember correctly and last time I looked it was being refurbished and is now an Everyman cinema. SJ

The latest woman in his life keeps Will waiting. The IMAX Cinema, Charlie Chaplin Walk SE1. In the top background can be seen the Royal Waterloo Hospital for Children and Women on the corner of Waterloo Bridge Road and Stamford Street.

Now, a rather greener look. SJ

Running late, Angie (Isabel Brook) finally arrives. Charlie Chaplin Walk near Waterloo station.

No change. SJ

Marcus comes out of school for the break between lessons. West Hill School in Wandsworth.

Back in the day I was more scrupulous about angles but this one has been waiting for over 5 years so I've settled for an off-angled zoom shot from the gates. SJ

A football is kicked at Marcus just after his friends tell him they no longer want to be seen with him. West Hill School SW18.

Wrong angle as the grounds were locked but this is the wall on the right of the then. SJ

Hoping to meet single mothers, Will joins a single parents group at the local Community Hall. Woodbridge Chapel on Hayward's Place in Clerkenwell, London EC1.

Now shot by Peter. (RL)

A child's car seat is purchased when Will makes up that he has a two-year-old son named Ned. Kew Retail Park, Bessant Drive, Richmond in Surrey.

One from the archives a few years ago. SJ

Having met Suzie, a day out is planned. Lady Margaret Road in Kentish Town with the spire of the Church of Our Lady Help of Christians in the centre distance.

The same location from Peter.

Suzie (Victoria Smurfit) also brings along her friend's boy, Marcus. Lady Margaret Road in NW5.

Same awkward tree outside the house. Close to the north end of the road near Ospringe Road, NW5. SJ

Making excuses for his imaginary son's absence, Will walks through the park with Marcus, Suzie and her daughter Megan. Regent's Park in London NW1.

Queen Mary’s Garden inside the Inner Circle, Regent's Park.

The bridge behind the willow was also seen in The Odd Job. SJ

Time to settle down for the picnic. Regent's Park in NW1.

Not quite the right angle as the rose bush beds were being mangled out of season but there's the building only just visible in the grab. SJ

Marcus imagines seeing his mum across the lake. Queen Mary’s Garden in Regent's Park, London NW1.

She's not there. SJ

After the day out, Will drives everyone back to Marcus' home. The junction of Caversham Road, Oseney Crescent and Busby Place in London NW5.

Peter had assistance from the staff at Tufnell Park underground station to find this location.

Marcus leads the way inside to find that his mother has attempted suicide. Oseney Crescent in Camden.

Unchanged. SJ

An ambulance speeds Fiona to hospital.

Peter sent in this picture of the same location, looking south over Blackfriars Bridge.

Will follows the ambulance with Marcus, Suzie and Megan on board. The slip road from Queen Victoria Street / Blackfriars Bridge onto Victoria Embankment in EC4 with Waterloo Bridge crossing the Thames to the left. The view ahead was seen in 'Bronco Bullfrog'.

A bus instead of an ambulance. Image by Peter.

The Audi approaches the hospital. Paul Murray contacted us in 2016 and advises that he currently owns the TT featured in this film! It's seen here as we look northeast from 46 St John Street, EC1. (SR)

Fewer cars on this early morning. No. 48 is undergoing a ground floor refurbishment. Behind my right shoulder is The Farmiloe Building used in several productions such as the later Batmans. SJ

Once Fiona is stabilised, Will drives everyone to Suzie's house and makes his excuses before leaving. Lady Margaret Road near the junction with Countess Road in N19. Found with help from Leila Johnston's 'Enemy of Chaos' website.

Peter found the place with a little help from Lucy, who came out of one of the houses.

During a hair cut, Marcus calls Will and persuades him to take his mother out to dinner. Westbourne Grove, Notting Hill in London W11.

Looking north, close to the corner of Denbigh Road. SJ

Will finds that Marcus and Fiona are vegetarians. Looking out onto the junction of Sutherland Avenue with Maida Vale in W9.

The restaurant since converted to an Everyman cinema without the windows so here's a shot looking east across the junction from ground level. The building is opposite the petrol station seen in 'Groupie Girl.' SJ

Back at Fiona's flat, Will tells the story of when he almost volunteered to work in a soup kitchen. The steps of St James' Church on Clerkenwell Close. The location was seen in 'Dance with a Stranger'.

In a different season. SJ

On another day, Will leaves his almost sterile apartment. St James Walk in Islington. A similar shot appears in 'The Trouble with 2B and the street also features in 'Junket 89'.

Now. SJ

Marcus follows, suspicious that Will doesn't have a son. St James Walk, London EC1.

Nobody appears suspicious of Peter. (RL)

Will senses a presence. Clerkenwell Close, London EC1, which can also be seen in 'The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus',

New front door already and an added lamp-post but still a very reflective front. SJ

Clerkenwell Close facing the corner of Sans Walk and Scotswood Street in EC1.

Nice clear sign helped here. SJ

Where Cowcross Street and St John Street meet Charterhouse Street in EC1 with Smithfield Market to the left. The area can be seen in ‘Johnny English’, ‘Chaplin’, ‘Go to Blazes’ and ‘Bellman & True’.

Road works mar the scene in this comparison from Peter.

Marcus loses Will, who is hiding in a shop. Charterhouse Street opposite Smithfield Market's East Poultry Avenue.

Now "gourmet bistro" Comptoir Gascon captured by Peter. (RL)

'You don't have a kid, do you?' St James Walk EC1. The entrance door and lobby were created for the film.

The false front covered the arched upper window as well. SJ

The view from Will's front door. Looking towards Sekforde Street on St James Walk.

A shot from Peter avoiding the glare of the sun. (RL)

Marcus and Fiona leave their house on fictional Craysfield Road in Islington N12. Oseney Crescent, London NW5.

Quite close to the Career Girls house. SJ

Questions about being a vegetarian are asked. Looking towards the Bartholomew Road end of Oseney Crescent.

Another comparison from Peter.

As the bullying at school continues, Marcus makes his way to see Will. Charterhouse Street with Smithfield Market's Grand Avenue to the right. The area was seen in 'Go To Blazes' and 'Catch Us If You Can'.

A similar shot from Peter. (RL)

The camera moves with the troubled twelve year old. Charterhouse Street in London EC3.

Customary street clutter to spoil the shot by Peter. (RL)

Will takes Marcus shopping for trainers in an attempt to cheer him up. The Oxford Street branch of The Body Shop as seen from inside the Skechers shop, 291 Oxford Street, opposite. Near the junction with Harewood Place and Holles Street in W1.

The store site is now behind hoarding but the view out remains. SJ

Will reverts to his former routine following a confrontation with Fiona after Marcus told her about the regular after-school visits. London Bridge EC4 with Southwark Cathedral's tower in the top right of the image.

The same bridge on a less busy day. Picture by Peter.

Realising that he was involved in Marcus' life, a thought comes into Will's head. More of London Bridge.

Where has everybody gone? Image from Peter.

Will tries to persuade Marcus to pretend to be his son so that he can get to know a woman that he has met. London Zoo in Regent's Park NW1.

The penguins have moved but the pool, designed by Lubetkin, is listed and now stands as modernist sculpture. SJ

Marcus tells Will about his crush on Ellie at school and Will tells Marcus about Rachel. London Zoo.

Will and Maucus arrive at Rachel's house. The junction of Talbot Road and St Stephen's Crescent W2 with St Stephen's Church in the background.

The church sign's gone. SJ

The two prepare for Rachel to open the door. St Stephen's Church provides the backdrop.

But the angled tree is still there. SJ

After Rachel's son threatens Marcus, Will runs after him and asks him to return. St Stephen's Crescent seen from the corner of Talbot Road in Westbourne Park.

Now with bike racks and that tree has certainly come on. SJ

Marcus finally gets to know Ellie (Natalia Tena). West Hill School in Wandsworth SW18.

Way off-angle: can anyone improve? SJ

The two become friends.

Marcus worries about his mother and decides to do something to cheer her up. West Hill School in Wandsworth.

I'd prefer a better angle but this will have to suffice. SJ

When Fiona tells Will that Marcus is singing 'Killing Me Softly with His Song' at the schools rock concert, the pair speed off to prevent him commiting social suicide. Clerkenwell Close with the former Hugh Myddelton School, now Kingsway Place, visible in the centre top background.

The same location now from Peter.

On the way, Will explains to Fiona that she has made Marcus the way he is. Grand Avenue running through Smithfield Market as seen from Charterhouse Street.

Peter found that to recreate the screen capture you'd need to be lying flat on a skateboard.

The two approach Finsbury Comprehensive School. Broomhill Road looking towards Wandsworth High Street / West Hill in SW18.

Couldn't match the Audi. SJ

After coming to a stop, Will tells Fiona to park the car. Broomhill Road in Wandsworth.

Not that accurate a "now" now that I see it in the cold light of the laptop. SJ

Will runs into the school. Broomhill Road SW18.

That's better, there's the black doorway. SJ

Fiona and her son leave the school after Will saves Marcus from total humiliation. West Hill School on Broomhill Road.

Now. SJ

His mother tries to persuade Marcus to have a burger as they head for home. Facing south east on Broomhill Road, London SW18.

They have a long walk from SW18 to NW5. SJ