Based on the memoir of the same name by author Tobias Wolff, This Boy's Life is set in the 1950s, telling the story of a young Tobias (played by Leonardo DiCaprio) whose life changes for the worse after his mother falls in love with a violent man (played by Robert De Niro). When it becomes clear that his new stepfather's abusive behaviour won't convince him mom to leave, Toby comes up with a plan for escape on his own.