Director Jon Gunn has established himself as a director keeping most of his projects focusing on faith and hope with films like Ordinary Angels and Do You Believe?. His latest film, The Unbreakable Boy keeps the theme alive starring Zachary Levi, Meghann Fahy, Jacob Laval, Drew Powell, Peter Facinelli and Patricia Heaton. Could this film bring the powerful story it promises, or will it fail to find its place in the world?

 

The Unbreakable Boy follows parents, Scott and Teresa, who learn that their son Austin is both autistic and has brittle bone disease and worry for their son’s future. But with Scott’s growing faith and Austin’s incredible spirit, they become “unbreakable,” finding joy, gratitude, and courage even in the most trying times — an extraordinary true story about a father and son learning together that every day can be the best day of your life!

 

From the premise to the trailer, you know that this film is going to be one that pulls at the heartstrings. We have seen plenty of films like this over the years, but that doesn’t make it any less effective in the end. The story is well crafted to deal with more than you expect and relatable to those that have gone through parenthood and/or life with a special needs child. What I found interesting is that it isn’t focused as much on the struggles of Austin’s issues in life, but the parents and most notably Scott trying to relate.

 

This takes an unexpected direction in the story that while filled with some cliché storytelling makes it feel like something different than you might have thought. This is a different kind of role than fans may be used to from Levi and not in a bad way. He is really good here and loved getting to see him do more dramatic work, but there is a level of the characters’ later behavior that doesn’t always feel like Levi matches. This isn’t due to his performance or anything, it just felt off a little for me.

 

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