Premise
Based on the true story of the LeRette family, young Austin (Jacob Laval) navigates life with brittle bone disease and autism, which–try as they may–can’t break him down.
Far more than I expected
I was anticipating a cheesy, possibly religious family flick, but I was surprised by the quality and how stylized it was right off the bat. It’s fun and colorful, taking advantage of opportunities to highlight the imaginations of a child versus a parent. The stylized structure also helps build tension, since the story is told a bit out of order, so there is a greater emotional investment, and we pick up on more patterns throughout.
The cast and their performances were all incredible. Zachary Levi (as Austin’s father, Scott) is the reason I knew about and wanted to watch this movie. At times, he is playful and fun, but can also pull off some powerful, deep struggles that any adult (especially parents) can relate to. His chemistry and conflict with Meghann Fahy uniquely and accurately captures married life. Above being a movie about autism, I really think it’s a movie about parenting, especially when facing extenuating circumstances.
Laval was also fantastic, matching the other more seasoned actors in believability. It helped that Laval is also autistic, but as he has pointed out during interviews, he did quite a bit of work to capture Austin’s personality and mannerisms, so it feels very real. There’s something similar to “Peanut Butter Falcon” (2019) here; we have a featured main character with disabilities, but the movie doesn’t make that their only trait and finds a way to flesh them out in a sincere way.
Humor is also a key point to this movie when it comes to the delicate tonal balance with the topics presented. The dialogue is so fun, and very needed at times when there are heavier elements addressed like alcoholism, mental health, and that constant question of if you are doing right by your kids. This story is all about breaks and repairs, going far beyond Austin’s bones. I love how outside conflicts perfectly parallel the inner turmoil the family faces through the years.
I could go on and on about all the little details because every aspect felt very intentional (in particular with costuming, set & sound design, and lighting). Everything came together harmoniously, united in that theme of things breaking and healing, in a way that made me walk away saying “THAT’S how you make a movie!” I highly recommend it for anyone wanting that spark of inspiration and gratitude for life.
Parents Guide
The alcoholism and raw parental struggles might not make this a fun, entertaining movie for younger kids. There are also many trips to the hospital, mostly played off lighthearted without showing anything. It’s appropriate for all ages–it’s just up to a parent if the familial struggles might be too distressing for their kids.
