The Book of Henry is the new film from Jurassic World and Safety Not Guaranteed director Colin Trevorrow, who we now know is going to be the director of Episode 9 in the Star Wars franchise.
Perhaps that's why this indie flick is getting the added attention this weekend or it could be the fact that this really is the summer's most 'you have to see it to believe it" movie.
It seemed interesting to me on paper and to hear Trevorrow describe it I have to say it only appealed to me more. But the reviews for this thing so far, holy crap, you would think Trevorrow was showing footage from his last proctology exam.
The whole thing has left Star Wars fans reeling and you just can't do that cause over the years these have become naturally jumpy people. And if you had to accept Phantom Menace as part of your favorite film franchise, you would be too.
And I must say i'm confused, not by the film itself, which is actually quite good if not the the most tidy narrative, but by the genuine disdain the film seems to have elicited from critics. Granted there are far-fetched things here, but the direction is sound.
The movie is about one of those 11 year old super geniuses who you really only find in film. The ones who can balance the family's financial statements and also knows a good stock from a bad one.
His single waitress mom, played by Naomi Watts, basically struggles to just keep her own life together and his nerdy brother constantly needs saving from bullies. So he is the family's backbone. So much so that mom worries about his lack of "normal kid-ness".
As if this kid doesn't have enough to worry about, the girl next door may also be getting physically abused by her Step-father and no one can do a thing about it because of his relationship with the small town's police department.
I really can't remember the last time i've seen the abusive step-father stereotype used this well since the early 90's. For much of the film, the victim is given no voice, seen only in brief, disturbing imagery. It's point that apathy towards seeing something like this is also well received.
And that's what will make the crux of this movie such a hot button issue that people will discuss ad nauseum when they leave the theater. I won't give it away but i'll say Trevorrow shows a skillful hand in going from quirky to dark.
Did the film need to take a detour into one character getting a brain tumor for this film about seeing something but not saying something to work? No. Did the doctor from that particular segment need to keep showing up afterwards? Also, no.
But the film is trying to be a tear-jerk too and here Trevorrow again does a job he should be getting applauded over, not second-guessed about a popular film franchise.
He's helped out beautifully by this cast, who never hit a false note. Watts is a mother like any other, trying to protect her young kids by keeping things light and fun but in the process never really fully grasping being an adult until she goes through her progression in this film.
Jaeden Lieberher, who already has an impressive resume with "Midnight Special" and the Bill Murray comedy "St. Vincent", and he'll also be in "Stephen King's It" later this year, also brings a mature, level-headed approach to Henry.
And then there's Jacob Tremblay, who at age 10 is already killing it after his performance in "Room". Here he does a great job playing the nerdy kid who feels forgotten compared to his genius brother.
Overall this movie deserves credit. Greg Hurwitz's screenplay definitely feels somewhat awkward and i'm not sure I would call it original either but damn if it's not well acted, well directed, and really makes you think about a very hot button issue.
If you liked this, check out Craig James Review on Youtube.
Perhaps that's why this indie flick is getting the added attention this weekend or it could be the fact that this really is the summer's most 'you have to see it to believe it" movie.
It seemed interesting to me on paper and to hear Trevorrow describe it I have to say it only appealed to me more. But the reviews for this thing so far, holy crap, you would think Trevorrow was showing footage from his last proctology exam.
The whole thing has left Star Wars fans reeling and you just can't do that cause over the years these have become naturally jumpy people. And if you had to accept Phantom Menace as part of your favorite film franchise, you would be too.
And I must say i'm confused, not by the film itself, which is actually quite good if not the the most tidy narrative, but by the genuine disdain the film seems to have elicited from critics. Granted there are far-fetched things here, but the direction is sound.
The movie is about one of those 11 year old super geniuses who you really only find in film. The ones who can balance the family's financial statements and also knows a good stock from a bad one.
His single waitress mom, played by Naomi Watts, basically struggles to just keep her own life together and his nerdy brother constantly needs saving from bullies. So he is the family's backbone. So much so that mom worries about his lack of "normal kid-ness".
As if this kid doesn't have enough to worry about, the girl next door may also be getting physically abused by her Step-father and no one can do a thing about it because of his relationship with the small town's police department.
I really can't remember the last time i've seen the abusive step-father stereotype used this well since the early 90's. For much of the film, the victim is given no voice, seen only in brief, disturbing imagery. It's point that apathy towards seeing something like this is also well received.
And that's what will make the crux of this movie such a hot button issue that people will discuss ad nauseum when they leave the theater. I won't give it away but i'll say Trevorrow shows a skillful hand in going from quirky to dark.
Did the film need to take a detour into one character getting a brain tumor for this film about seeing something but not saying something to work? No. Did the doctor from that particular segment need to keep showing up afterwards? Also, no.
But the film is trying to be a tear-jerk too and here Trevorrow again does a job he should be getting applauded over, not second-guessed about a popular film franchise.
He's helped out beautifully by this cast, who never hit a false note. Watts is a mother like any other, trying to protect her young kids by keeping things light and fun but in the process never really fully grasping being an adult until she goes through her progression in this film.
Jaeden Lieberher, who already has an impressive resume with "Midnight Special" and the Bill Murray comedy "St. Vincent", and he'll also be in "Stephen King's It" later this year, also brings a mature, level-headed approach to Henry.
And then there's Jacob Tremblay, who at age 10 is already killing it after his performance in "Room". Here he does a great job playing the nerdy kid who feels forgotten compared to his genius brother.
Overall this movie deserves credit. Greg Hurwitz's screenplay definitely feels somewhat awkward and i'm not sure I would call it original either but damn if it's not well acted, well directed, and really makes you think about a very hot button issue.
If you liked this, check out Craig James Review on Youtube.