The Unbreakable Boy

by Mike McGranaghan

The Unbreakable Boy is proof that not every inspirational true story deserves to be turned into a movie. Although based on actual events, the film is executed in a saccharine, clichéd manner that leaves you feeling more annoyed than uplifted. Director Jon Gunn has made some very good faith-based films, including The Case for Christ and Ordinary Angels, but he strikes out this time.

Austin LeRette (Jacob Laval) is a 13-year-old boy with autism and a rare disease that makes his bones easily breakable. Despite these issues, he possesses a relentlessly upbeat spirit, unlike his father Scott (Zachary Levi), who struggles with feelings of parental inadequacy. Scott and wife Teresa (Meghann Fahy) work to help Austin as he navigates a string of injuries and injustices that upset them more than they upset him.

The ostensible point of The Unbreakable Boy is that Austin never loses his sense of optimism. Whereas Scott and Teresa become overwhelmed by life’s problems, he enjoys everything to the hilt. Sure, there’s a lesson to be learned there, but the movie isn’t really about the kid. It becomes bogged down in depicting the parents’ marital strife, most of which is fueled by Scott’s alcoholism. That might have been okay had these matters been treated in anything other than a routine, one-dimensional way.

Regardless of the fact that the people and events depicted are real, the movie feels painfully contrived. There’s a recurring bit where Scott talks to his imaginary friend Joe (Drew Powell) whenever he’s trying to figure something out. We’re told in the end credits that the real Scott actually did this. Nevertheless, it comes off as silly when you see it visualized. Similarly, it doesn’t seem genuine when Austin talks about loving Fight Club or uncontrollably launches into Jack Nicholson’s “You can’t handle the truth!” soliloquy from A Few Good Men in the middle of a meltdown.

In an unwise choice, Austin narrates the story in a gratingly cutesy voiceover. What’s particularly frustrating about this is that it’s clearly an attempt to give the kid depth – a function that should be taken care of by the narrative instead. Unfortunately, Austin isn’t so much a fully formed character as he is a catalyst for Scott to get his act together. No amount of voiceover can compensate for that flaw.

Making Scott the true lead possibly could have worked with a different actor in the role. Zachary Levi is hopelessly bland here, relying on the same mannerisms that fuel many of his performances. Scott LaRette isn’t particularly distinguishable from the superhero in Shazam or the man-child in Harold and the Purple Crayon. Levi incessantly leans on the boyish charm, even in the plot’s darkest sections.

The Unbreakable Boy ekes out a nice moment here and there. On the whole, though, it’s too in-your-face sappy and sentimental to elicit the inspiring reaction it wants to.

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