An Unbreakable Spirit

What does it mean to have the best day of your life every single day?

Is it possible?

Do you think you could do it if you had a genetic disorder that caused your bones to be so brittle that you had dozens of breaks before the age of 13?

Well, the answer is yes if you are Austin.

What it is to be Unbreakable

In the new film, The Unbreakable Boy, despite having Osteogenesis imperfect (brittle bone disease) and autism, Austin (played delightfully by Jacob Laval) has a bright outlook on life. He would tell you so. In fact, he specifically makes a point to tell us that while autism often makes children non-verbal, he's the opposite. Really opposite.

Brittle Hopes

Austin is loved very much by his Mom, Dad, and little brother. That doesn't mean they don't have issues. His parents struggle with the cost and stress of raising a special needs child. His little brother tries to help bat away bullies from his brother. Loving someone so special is not without cost. The strain shows and it wears thin on Dad, Scott (Zachary Levi).

Life with someone this extraordinary does come with great benefits, too. As Scott says, "I wish I loved one thing in my life as much as my son loves everything".

That's the Breaks

This film is based on "facts, lots of facts"  of Austin and his real family. It is quite a journey, especially that of Scott who takes a while to realize just how much he has and how much he then has to lose. I don't wish to overshare here as sweet Austin does, but it is heartwarming and a great reminder of why family matters.

It is a solid family film but I would say for  8+ more for maintaining interest than for anything else.

FYI

The issue of alcoholism is addressed and I think it was handled well with respect and appreciation, as does AA. The effects of substance dependence on a family dynamic were shown.  

I give it four tickets.