Rating: 3.5/5
Synopsis:
After years of delays and setbacks, “The Unbreakable Boy” finally hits theaters. It highlights the life of Austin, an autistic boy who is suffering from a rare bone disease. His unusual optimism proves to be a gamechanger in his parent’s life, who both deal with struggles of their own. His mother and father must grapple with the reality of Austin’s condition and find the strength to continue pressing forward in life.
Positives:
This is a film that will appeal to the target audience well. Families who have children with special needs will find the subject matter relatable. I enjoyed seeing how the film explored the perspectives of each character in the film and how they are affected by Austin’s disability. Austin’s parents are quickly thrust into parenthood at a point in their lives where it wouldn’t be ideal. They are then tasked with navigating parenthood and overcoming personal issues that arise within their relationship. The film does a nice job at humanizing its characters so that we don’t demonize them for their actions, but instead presenting their flaws as a way to learn and overcome. Austin seems to be that piece that holds them together in a way, helping them navigate their life and accept their new reality.
Zachary Levi has taken some heat lately, but I believe his performance in the film showcases his range. He is very impressive here, highlighting the ability to be silly and whimsical but also display a mature demeanor. The scenes where he is tasked with showing us personal struggles and a complete range of emotions were very effective. I hope he gets the recognition he deserves for his role in the film. The rest of the supporting cast does good work too. I enjoyed how every character felt necessary to the story rather than seeming like background filler. I also liked seeing how the family changes over Austin’s development. Each character adjusts to life differently, but the desire to stay united and embrace life’s changes together was a nice touch.
Negatives:
While a sweet and endearing story, “The Unbreakable Boy” sometimes struggles with flow. The plot has its ups and downs in momentum, making some of the story feel like filler rather than efficient plot development. The film feels longer than it is, and with the heavy subject matter that may translate poorly with certain audience members. I seemed to relate more to the story between the parents, where exploring their ups and downs was more interesting that their relationship with Austin. It does resort to quick character arcs by the film’s conclusion about accepting Austin as he is but I appreciate the journey beforehand.
Conclusion:
If the trailer looked interesting, the movie will likely appeal to those who enjoyed it. “The Unbreakable Boy” is a heartfelt exploration of a family going through life one day at a time, managing the complexities of adjusting to a child with special needs. Each character’s inclusion in the story helps their presence feel necessary, as each person is able to become a better person after their encounters with Austin. The flow of the film could be improved to make the story feel tighter, but audiences who relate to the subject matter will find lots of joy here.
