‘The Unbreakable Boy’ review: Zachary Levi film celebrates life’s imperfections, beauty in brokenness

Kingdom Story Firm and Lionsgate have earned a fame for high quality, family-friendly movies that, whereas faith-adjacent, don’t overly sanitize the fact of sinful human nature and the brokenness that solely Christ can redeem. 

Because the starting, creators Kevin Downes and Andy Erwin have at all times maintained that tales should be each genuine and redemptive — and their newest mission, “The Unbreakable Boy,” is not any exception.

Starring Zachary Levi, Meghann Fahy, Patricia Heaton and Jacob Laval, “The Unbreakable Boy” is predicated on Scott LeRette’s 2018 memoir of the identical identify. Directed by Jon Gunn (“Jesus Revolution,” “The Case for Christ”), it tells the exceptional true story of his son, Austin LeRette, a younger boy with autism and brittle bone illness, whose unwavering optimism transforms the lives of these round him.

Levi, who beforehand appeared in Kingdom Story Firm’s drama “American Underdog,” delivers a shifting efficiency as Scott, a father battling his personal demons whereas studying to embrace the customarily difficult journey of elevating a toddler with particular wants. 

As Scott wrestles along with his previous traumas and struggles with alcoholism, his relationship with Austin (performed with infectious power by Jacob Laval) forces him to confront his personal brokenness.

Levi’s portrayal of a father slowly discovering redemption is without doubt one of the movie’s strongest facets; the actor has been open about his personal previous struggles with dependancy and trauma stemming from parental abuse (“I can relate to Scott’s story on many ranges,” he lately advised The Christian Submit.)

It’s his journey from frustration and self-doubt to gratitude and renewal underscores one of many movie’s central messages: religion and household have the facility to heal even the deepest wounds. As Scott stumbles by means of parenthood, he learns to lean on religion, slowly realizing that the enjoyment and love Austin frequently exudes is one thing to be cherished, not feared.

Patricia Heaton additionally delivers a grounding efficiency as Scott’s mom, whereas “White Lotus” star Meghann Fahy as Teresa, Austin’s mom, offers a gradual presence that balances Scott’s struggles with grace. Via a collection of flashbacks, viewers are given perception into the couple’s relationship: Although smitten with one another, Scott and Teresa had solely been on a handful of dates earlier than she grew to become pregnant. As their marital points mount, Teresa seeks solace in an area church led by Preacher Rick (Peter Facinelli), whereas Scott finds consolation in a bottle.

However maybe essentially the most compelling side of “The Unbreakable Boy” is its exploration of brokenness, each literal and figurative. Austin, who steadily lands within the hospital on account of his brittle bone situation, approaches life with unshakable enthusiasm. The story is advised from his perspective — and his perspective is one among pure pleasure regardless of his many hospitalizations and, at occasions, cruelty from his friends.

The movie skillfully weaves within the Japanese artwork of kintsugi, which repairs damaged pottery with gold, highlighting the wonder in imperfection. This metaphor is woven by means of the narrative, reinforcing the concept struggles and scars are what make an individual complete. Fairly than specializing in incapacity as a limitation, “The Unbreakable Boy” celebrates it as a part of Austin’s extraordinary spirit, presenting him as a multi-dimensional character. 

Whereas a number of glorious movies in recent times have highlighted the particular wants group (“The Peanut Butter Falcon” and “Marvel,” for instance), what units “The Unbreakable Boy” aside is its unwavering dedication to pleasure. 

Although the movie doesn’t draw back from the load of Scott’s battles with dependancy or the hardships the household faces, it at all times returns to Austin’s skill to seek out pleasure within the easiest issues, whether or not it’s a strawberry milkshake, a college mascot gig, his multi-colored jester hat or the love of his household. 

Austin’s optimism serves as a strong reminder that pleasure is a alternative, even within the face of ache. His kindness extends even to those that mock him, revealing a profound depth of understanding and forgiveness that many adults, together with his mother and father, wrestle to attain. His infectious spirit modifications the folks round him, urging them to embrace gratitude and love in each second.

Filmed in Oklahoma in 2020, “The Unbreakable Boy” was initially slated to hit theaters in 2022, however as a result of lasting results of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns, the discharge was pushed again till now.

The delay in timing, Gunn advised CP, serves as a testomony to the movie’s function. “This can be a film about gratitude,” Gunn stated. “It is about having the ability to recognize each second, even after we’re struggling, even after we’re in ache, even after we’re insecure, even after we’re afraid. The film itself went by means of struggles, and but, right here it’s.”

And whereas “The Unbreakable Boy” is infused with religion, it’s not solely a “faith-based” movie. Fairly, it’s a common story about resilience, household and embracing life’s imperfections. The movie (rated PG or sturdy thematic materials, alcohol abuse, language and a few violence) encourages viewers to have a look at their very own lives by means of a lens of gratitude; even in brokenness, Austin reminds, there’s at all times magnificence to be discovered. 

“The Unbreakable Boy” is now in theaters.