The film "This Boy's Life", based on the real life of American author Tobias Wolff, stars renowned actors Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro and Ellen Barkin in the main roles. while actors Jonah Blechman, Eliza Dushku, Chris Cooper, Carla Gugino, Tracey Ellis, Kathy Kinney, Tobey Maguire, Deanna Milligan and Morgan Brayton play the other minor roles. The film is directed by Michael Caton-Jones and is a classic story of domestic violence, emotional neglect, and other issues that Tobias faces. “This Boy's Life” follows the theme of escapism, popular in the '90s, with fight and flight playing a significant role in the film. Based on the award-winning memoir of the same name by the real Tobias Wolff, the film does an excellent job of depicting the boy's struggles growing up as he plans to escape his abusive stepfather. Tobias played by Leonardo DiCaprio, the protagonist of the film, who later changes his name to Jack, and acts as the narrator in the film. The film begins with a mother's search for a better life and a complete, suitable family for her son. Upon meeting the charming Dwight Hansen played by Robert De Niro, she feels that her search is over and that Dwight could be the ideal father for Tobias. But she doesn't know much about Dwight's true personality and what awaits him in the future. Tobias, however, saw right through Dwight and immediately hated him. Despite Tobias's reservations about Dwight, desperate mother Caroline, played by Ellen Barkin, marries him with hopes of financial security and a functioning family. In the hope that this new life will finally change Toby's bad habits, Caroline continues to live with Dwight despite his authoritarian nature. On the other...... middle of paper ......d by Dwight's dominant behavior. The biased behavior in society was also visible when Caroline not only put up with Dwight's behavior, but also her former boyfriend Roy, who is also portrayed as abusive. We see Caroline's ignorance, inaction, and vulnerability almost all the time. We can also see the stereotypes in the society of that time, with all the expectations that Dwight would be a good guy just because he seemed rich and respectable. On an individual basis, the film gives a whole new insight into the lives of abused people and their suffering and shows how abusive environments can foster. As for the professional point of view, watching this film as a future physical therapist gave me a better understanding of the recognition of domestic violence among pediatric patients and their mothers. All of these things add up to make the film very remarkable..