1.5 out of 5.0 stars1.5
“The Unbreakable Boy,” released Feb. 21, attempts to tell an uplifting, emotional story about overcoming adversity, but it ultimately falters under cliches, superficial writing and shallow storytelling. Based on Scott LeRette’s memoir, the film follows a family navigating the challenges of raising a son with brittle bone disease and autism.

While the film aspires to deliver a heartfelt message about love, strength and resilience, it only succeeds in making viewers feel they are being sold an overly simplified tale rather than something genuine. The movie relies heavily on a common trope where characters with disabilities are portrayed primarily to inspire others rather than being developed as full, complex individuals. Instead of having their own depth and agency, they exist mainly to evoke admiration or pity.

The film centers around Austin (Jacob Laval), whose performance is earnest. He brings charm to the role, but unfortunately, Austin quickly devolves into a walking stereotype. His quirks — such as his obsession with wearing a multitude of hats or his tendency to quote “A Few Good Men” at length — seem more like a checklist of “autism-related traits” than an exploration of the complexities of having a disability. Instead of making Austin feel like a developed character, the film turns him into a one-dimensional symbol of unfaltering optimism. His resilience is framed as the moral centerpiece of the story. Everyone around him, especially his parents, Scott (Zachary Levi) and Teresa (Meghann Fahy), are supposed to learn life lessons from his indomitable spirit.

This reductionist approach leaves little room for exploring the reality of his challenges or the genuine emotional and psychological complexities that come with having both brittle bone disease and autism. Austin is not allowed to be a character in his own right; he is there to show others how to be better people, which feels exploitative and shallow. 

Much of the film revolves around Scott’s unhealthy alcohol use while managing Austin’s medical issues and free-spirited personality. While Austin is the titular character, his own experiences take a backseat to Scott’s emotional journey. Ultimately, Scott learns to “be like Austin,” embracing a more present and carefree approach to life. However, this shift focuses more on Scott’s growth than Austin’s experiences, reducing the young boy to a mere catalyst for his father’s transformation.

What compounds the film’s writing issues is its reliance on religion as the ultimate solution to the family’s struggles. Instead of diving into the psychological and emotional complexities of raising a child with a disability,  “The Unbreakable Boy” opts for the easy route: religion as a panacea. A key moment in the film is when Scott turns to Preacher Rick (Peter Facinelli) for guidance. The film presents faith as a significant source of support, but it is unclear how much professional or medical help is involved in the family’s journey. The film does not fully explore whether other forms of intervention were sought or if they played a role in the family’s struggles. This raises questions about whether the portrayal overlooks important aspects of treatment or simply reflects the family’s real life choices.

Despite these flaws, the film does feature a few moments of sincerity, particularly in the scenes where Scott grapples with alcoholism and the overwhelming pressures of fatherhood. Levi does a decent job portraying the emotionally burdened father, though clumsy script choices and an underdeveloped arc bog down his character. Scott’s struggles with addiction and his emotional distance from his family are brushed over too quickly, making it hard to care about his personal growth.

There’s also the bizarre inclusion of an imaginary friend, Joe (Drew Powell), who serves as a sort of inner voice for Scott, encouraging him to give in to his vices. Joe serves little purpose beyond reinforcing Scott’s internal conflict, and his scenes often appear more quirky than meaningful.

The rest of the cast, particularly Fahy and Gavin Warren, who plays Austin’s brother Logan, do a solid job with the material they are given. Warren, in particular, delivers a strong performance, showing emotional depth in his scenes. However, the film spends so little time developing any supporting characters that they become mere bystanders to Austin’s storyline, which feels like a wasted opportunity. Logan’s perspective on Austin’s struggles could have added a deeper familial dynamic, and more insight into Teresa’s connection with Austin might have upped the emotional stakes. Instead, they primarily serve as background figures, making their moments of impact feel somewhat hollow.

The film glosses over moments of emotional and psychological struggle, like Austin’s violent outbursts or Scott’s recovery by quickly leaning on faith as the answer. Rather than delving into the messy work of overcoming these issues, the film uses religion to tie everything up neatly, leaving viewers with a sense of manipulation rather than genuine insight into the family’s challenges. It may aim to uplift and inspire, but in doing so, it leaves the audience feeling unsatisfied, missing the depth these real-life struggles deserve.

Ultimately, “The Unbreakable Boy” is a sugar-coated mess, a story that treats its characters and their challenges with shallow sentimentality rather than genuine care.