Movies

Review: In the uplifting yet mundane ‘The Unbreakable Boy,’ a dad finally wises up

BBG News

First, some positive points about “The Unbreakable Boy,” a family drama inspired by the 2014 memoir of Scott LeRette: Zachary Levi is now playing characters his actual age. Previously known for childish roles in “Shazam” and “Harold and the Purple Crayon,” it’s refreshing to witness him portraying an adult character. Moreover, this film serves as a late validation of Megahn Fahy’s undeniable stardom. While her talent was already evident in shows like “The White Lotus,” “The Perfect Couple,” and “The Bold Type” (for those who kept up), “The Unbreakable Boy” is an intriguing exception: it hails from a time just prior to her breakout moment.

Filmed during winter 2020, this movie was initially planned to debut in cinemas in March 2022. The reason for its three-year storage at Lionsgate remains unclear, but the faith-based production is now set to premiere, showcasing the LeRette family’s extraordinary journey in dealing with their son, Austin (Jacob Laval), who has both autism and a fragile bone condition.

Jon Gunn, who has a knack for creating faith-based films based on true events, directed and adapted the movie ‘The Unbreakable Boy.’ His previous works include ‘Ordinary Angels,’ ‘The Case for Christ,’ and he produced ‘Jesus Revolution’ and ‘I Still Believe.’ Gunn specializes in heartwarming tales that revolve around individuals triumphing over everyday yet significant obstacles, usually with the support of their faith or spiritual community. These stories are not necessarily extraordinary or sensational, but rather, they focus on ordinary life, communities, and families. ‘The Unbreakable Boy’ follows this same theme.

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The movie begins right in the middle of things, showing Scott (Levi) getting drunk at a New Year’s Eve party at the country club, and then driving home with his sons, Logan (Gavin Warren) and Austin, in tow. However, the various storytelling techniques used by the film – such as an unconventional storyline structure, Austin’s voice-over narration, and even a fictitious companion – come across as overly cute and contrived. These elements are intended to make this rather ordinary and unexceptional tale appear more intriguing than it truly is.

In the movie “The Unbreakable Boy,” we find Scott, a father who’s easily overwhelmed and often neglectful, which frequently leads to Austin, his son, suffering broken bones (there’s an ongoing count of injuries). The film predominantly focuses on Scott’s challenges in dealing with Austin’s medical problems and free-spirited nature, turning to alcohol as a means of escape. However, with the support of his church, Alcoholics Anonymous, and his wife Teresa (Fahy), Scott undergoes a transformation, learning to change his perspective so he can not only accept Austin but also live his life more like his son – fully engaged and liberated from societal pressures. It’s a heartwarming message, though perhaps not groundbreaking.

In a unique, nighttime television-esque style, I found Gunn masterfully orchestrating the film’s visual narrative. The direction was seamless, almost unnoticeable, yet it bore his personal touch, evident in the creative elements such as the childish font for Austin’s broken-bone tally and the occasional animated sequences that offer insight into Austin’s unique perspective. Regrettably, Levi and Fahy seemed to lack the magnetic connection you’d expect from their characters, perhaps due to the whirlwind nature of their courtship leaving little room for it to blossom naturally. Their heartfelt confession was a tentative “we might” harbor feelings for each other, which added an intriguing layer to their developing relationship.

Levi portrays Scott as somewhat slick and insincere, making it challenging to empathize with him due to his apparent lack of understanding about his own children. In contrast, Fahy delivers a powerful performance in her supporting role, creating an acting disparity that strangely suits the narrative: the competent, nurturing spouse taking a backseat while the flawed husband learns to care for his son, which is presented as meaningful or emotional. This plot twist might resonate with the LeRette family, but the primary challenge lies in connecting emotionally with this film beyond a faint admiration that the father learned to accept his son’s true self. I suppose it’s commendable, to some extent?

Katie Walsh is a Tribune News Service film critic.

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2025-02-21 01:31

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