The Unbreakable Boy will be overlooked by most of us
Thankfully, we are into the home-stretch for the early 2025 movie Dead Zone. From here, we might find a decent theater-watchable show peppered here and there. This week, there were two new offerings…The Unbreakable Boy and The Monkey. And even though the Average Dude has read nearly everything that Stephen King has published (I currently have 3 of his books in progress), I chose The Unbreakable Boy. Why did I choose The Unbreakable Boy over the latest King to big screen adaptation? That’s a discussion for another place.
A movie with the heart of a lion
I have to hand it to Lionsgate, they stepped up to the plate and took their swings with The Unbreakable Boy. With the rising popularity of movies like Cabrini, Possum Trot and the wonderful Sound of Freedom (all from Angel Studios), Lionsgate fearlessly threw their hat into that ring to give us another wholesome yet conscience stirring offering. And just like most of the Angel Studio movies, wholesome content that stirs the soul just isn’t a big box office draw.
Some Marvel movies can’t hit that mark
The exception to this rule is Sound of Freedom. SoF is based on a true story so shocking that America took notice to the tune of a $184M domestic ($251M worldwide). The amazing success of SoF was, in part, the catalyst for every true story of hope to follow. And therein lies the rub. But more on that later.
Choices
The Unbreakable Boy is the story of Scott and Teresa LeRette and their son Austin. Austin was born with autism AND brittle bone disease, a genetic disorder passed down from his mother. The basic message of The Unbreakable Boy is one of hope, love, optimism and the choices we make (both good and bad). If you’re a sucker for true stories about hope triumphant – as is the Average Dude – then you’ll enjoy this movie. Make sure you watch the ‘where are they now’ part of the end credits.
The Unbreakable Boy stars Zachary Levi (Shazam, Chuck) as Scott LeRette, a medical supply salesman from Oklahoma with big city dreams. Scott meets Teresa (Meghan Fahy) while shopping for some new pants and romance ensues. The magic moments.
Life Intervening
Due to a quite unexpected pregnancy, Teresa is forced to reveal that she has brittle bone syndrome and that there is a very real possibility the condition will be passed down to their child. Scott chooses to accept his responsibility as a father and so the family is formed.
A hint of the divine
Austin narrates the story, emphasising his many, many bone breaks. But the story is acually about how Scott and Teresa handle being constantly on the edge of crisis. As Life is fond of doing, it intervenes. Difficult times that fall on all of us are made exponentially harder when stacked on top of the LeRette’s already extraordinarily tough challenges. Yet, for reasons mostly taken for granted, Austin (Auz-man) develops an attitude of wonder. In his world view, he accepts that he has limitations. You never hear him bemoan his fate. A chatterbox he is. A whiner he is not. Auz-man is a mile-a-minute optimist. And though his constant verbal onslaught is a trial for his parents (and at times, the viewer), I think it’s fair to be reminded that their reality could have been much worse.*
Why do stories of hope generally make squat at the box office?
Movies, by their nature, are transporting. They take us out of our day-to-day. They are escapism, pure and simple. Except movies like The Unbreakable Boy don’t remove us very far. These types of movies often remind us that we take a lot for granted. If we are wise, we take the hint and nurture gratitude in ourselves, in our family and friends. Gratitude or victimhood…it’s always a choice. Stories of overcoming adversity can inspire hope in us and also shame us. Nobody likes to be reminded of their own selfishness. Making our lives all and only about ourselves is also a choice.
So how does the Average Dude rate a movie like this?
Movies like The Unbreakable Boy nearly always get overlooked. They’re not flashy. There’s no special effects budget to speak of. No thrills. They’re just stories of real life that we usually choose to ignore. I’m no different. I nearly chose to go see The Monkey. Pretty sure that would have been a big mistake. The AD is not a horror fan AND I read the short story from King waaaay back in high school. I’m glad that I decided to walk willingly into a movie I suspected would be a reminder that I spend too much time focused on self. These movies don’t transport. They force introspection. They drive it home and hopefully, remind us to be better people.
The Average Dude is giving The Unbreakable Boy a sound 3.5 out of 5. Be ready to look inward. Be ready to get choked up. Be wise enough to not dismiss the lessons. Be brave.
*The Average Dude has had a decent amount of exposure to autism. I know of one young person on the spectrum that is very much the opposite of the Auz-man. Always crying, always in a state of chaos. I imagine the turmoil in that household and I have a new compassion for them. My choice.
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