Is ‘The Unbreakable Boy’ Just Another Cliché-Filled Tearjerker?

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The Indestructible Son is a film adaptation of a real-life tale centered around a family dealing with their eldest child’s dual conditions of autism and a rare brittle bone disease. The movie adopts a somewhat comedic tone, as the main character, Austin (Jacob Laval), provides his unique perspective on the events unfolding. Despite its authentic origins, the film resonates so strongly with familiar themes that its truthfulness becomes questionable given the numerous movies with similar structures we’ve encountered.

The movie titled “The Unbreakable Boy” commences with the common narrative device of a record scratch followed by the line “You might be curious about how I ended up here,” establishing the film’s overall mood and predictable storyline. Initially, we encounter Austin’s father, Scott (played by Zachary Levi), celebrating New Year’s Eve, slightly intoxicated, and driving his sons, Austin and younger brother Logan (Gavin Warren), home, barely managing to keep the vehicle on the road.

Before the final outcome of that fateful car journey is revealed, director Jon Gunn takes us back in time to show how mom Theresa (Meghann Fahy) crossed paths with Scott. It turns out that Scott regularly converses with an imaginary companion named Joe (Drew Powell), a distinctive aspect of the film. Furthermore, we come to understand that their unexpected pregnancy during courtship resulted in Austin’s early birth and the subsequent discovery of Austin’s various health issues.

‘The Unbreakable Boy’ Is Confused & Inconsistent

The tale contains authentic portrayals of child-rearing, the challenges faced by a new family, victories big and small, and the grit required to overcome setbacks. However, the overly sweet tone of the film, coupled with stereotypical characters and situations (such as the bully whose mother has cancer and father is in jail, who is himself acknowledged as a cliché in an unusual instance of self-awareness), often detract from fully appreciating the genuine realism that lies beneath the narrative.

It appears as though the movie aims to make us believe that Scott struggles to connect with his autistic son, but their interactions seem smooth nonetheless. Interestingly, Scott initially seems confused by his son’s autism, yet he quickly comes up with seemingly ideal solutions like suggesting they go flying (they end up on a park swing set). The film persistently tries to guide our emotions, creating an impression that we should feel a certain way rather than allowing us to feel it organically based on the unfolding events in the movie.

In a surprising turn of events, Austin exhibits an unusual outburst of aggression towards his family, a behavior that, while not entirely unexpected given his unique circumstances, still catches us off guard. What’s puzzling is the rapid escalation of this incident, leading to his admission into a specialized hospital ward, a place we learn is less than ideal and from which he needs to be discharged soon. Additionally, it’s hinted that the medication Austin took may have triggered this outburst, but the specifics of his struggles and the full picture behind this story remain somewhat unclear.

As the narrative progresses, repeatedly touching on Scott’s struggle with alcoholism and spiritual journey, there appears to be a noticeable shift away from delving deeply into the daily challenges of managing autism. One might infer that the book provides a more comprehensive account of how the family coped with these issues. However, for the reader, these aspects often remain ambiguous.

A Familiar Genre Hurt by a Familiar Approach

For ‘The Unbreakable Boy‘, the main challenge lies in its familiar storyline that we’ve all grown accustomed to. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean it can’t be enjoyed or appreciated anew. The film industry is brimming with sequels, spin-offs, retellings, and rehashes, and audiences often favor the comfort of well-known narratives, genres, and structures over venturing into uncharted territory. However, in the case of ‘The Unbreakable Boy’, the presentation lacks originality, making it feel as if the story has been told before.

In every twist of this story, it seems familiar territory, yet when we’re navigating these known paths with recurring characterizations, settings, techniques, and dialogue, it becomes challenging for the movie to shine distinctly. However, there are pockets of sincerity and authenticity hidden within the narrative, which is a testament to the creative team’s skill. The way this couple juggles stress and family responsibilities simultaneously is a common starting point, but their ability to find joy in everyday moments and relationships despite their hardships has the power to evoke warmth, even stir inspiration.

The tale aspires to remind us of the importance of recognizing what truly matters and appreciating small joys even amid hardships, setbacks, and catastrophes. It’s quite possible that if you haven’t watched a movie depicting a family’s challenges before, The Unbreakable Boy will meet these expectations. However, if you’ve seen similar stories before, it may not offer anything fresh or unique.

Decent Performances Can’t Carry the Day

Following his stint on the TV show “Chuck,” Zachary Levi rose to prominence primarily for his roles in “Shazam!” and its less successful sequel, “Shazam! Fury of the Gods.” Despite the success of these superhero films, Levi had expressed disappointment that his fame didn’t reach greater heights post-superhero role. In the movie, Levi portrays an alcoholic father, which seems somewhat out of place for him. He appears significantly older than Fahy, who plays his wife, and not far from Todd Terry’s age, playing his own father. The film might benefit from his interactions with his imaginary friend Joe, where he excels in the comedic scenes. However, he struggles to convincingly portray a father burdened by substance abuse, children with special needs, and unfulfilled dreams. Simply put, he lacks the acting range or dramatic depth to carry off such a complex character effectively.

Beyond her fondness for video games, Fahy’s character is notable, yet she appears to be one-dimensional in other aspects. This isn’t necessarily a flaw of Fahy’s, but rather the character seems to serve primarily as a reflection of Scott’s experiences throughout the story. Interestingly, her attitude towards Scott shifts significantly – from being very understanding about his mistakes initially, to developing an intense dislike for his alcoholism, which is rooted in her personal history with it.

Unfortunately, we don’t get to learn much about Fahy until it’s necessary for the plot. A significant detail, such as her background with alcoholism, is only revealed late into the story. An intriguing moment occurs when Scott jokingly mentions not knowing her last name, hinting at a deeper issue that persists throughout the film. Essentially, we are left wondering about Fahy’s character until plot requirements force us to delve deeper.

Jacob Laval shines uniquely in his portrayal of Austin, adding a touch of comedy and lightness to the narrative. He skillfully navigates between being overwhelmed by his struggles and acting as a guiding light amidst them. Patricia Heaton contributes with brief appearances as an old-fashioned, no-nonsense mother figure to Levi’s character, yet their interactions and backstory are left largely unexplored. Peter Facinelli makes an appearance as a preacher who wears magical blue jeans, although he might have played a role reminiscent of someone bearing a heavy cross, which may not have made it into the final version of the story.

To sum it up, “The Unbreakable Boy” seems quite similar to many other films, with not much in the full-length movie that isn’t already hinted at in its trailer. If you weren’t satisfied after more than 100 minutes, the film concludes with the predictable line, “He wasn’t broken, I was,” which adds an eye-rolling note to the overall tiring experience. “The Unbreakable Boy” is set for release on Feb. 21 by Lionsgate.

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2025-02-17 15:32