This Boy's Life

This Boy's Life (1993) Behind the Scenes

Plot

HMPH!: De Niro and DiCaprio as stepfather and son

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Follows a true story, the film set in the 1950's, about a boy (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his mom (Ellen Barken) who are trying to build their life. The mother meets a some-what odd man (Robert De Niro) who lives in a secluded place in Washington State with his three children. She marries him but he turns out to be abusive. The film is based on the autobiography of Tobias Wolff

Casting Leo
Trying to get the part of "Tobias Wolff" wasn't easy but Leonardo DiCaprio (who was 17 at the time) beat out 400 other actors trying out for the role. The search for actors to play the part spread out through Los Angeles, New York, Florida, Chicago, Seattle, Toronto and Vancouver. The funny thing was, Leonardo was one of the first actors to read for the role. Director Micheal Caton-Jones wasn't sure to cast DiCaprio right away but after the four month search, DiCaprio was the perfect one for the part.

Reaction
Leonardo DiCaprio was with his mom on a vaction in Germany when he heard that he had gotton the role. He was so excited he punched a hole through the ceiling! Accepting the role in the film, DiCaprio turned down a role in the Disney comedy "Hocas Pocas" with Bette Midler. One can a imagine what excitement Leo must of had, it was after all his first big movie role and he was acting with Robert De Niro, one of his idols.

"Of course, I was nervous at first, but if I stayed terrified for too long it would take away from the film. If I let myself get too intimidated by De Niro, and by how much this film was resting on my shoulders, I wouldn't have been able to concentrate on the character."

Ellen Barken (mother) and Leonardo DiCaprio (son) talk.
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Working with De Niro
One of the things Leonardo DiCaprio had to endure during the filming was the abuse scenes. In the film, the stepfather (DeNiro) beats Toby (DiCaprio), but DiCaprio says "De Niro was really nice about beating me up."

"For three straight weeks, we had to roll around the kitchen floor for the abuse scenes. After the director would yell 'Cut,' De Niro was immediately helping me up, brushing off my shirt and saying, 'Are you okay? I'm really sorry. Can I get you a glass of water? Want a sandwich?"

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