Director: Colin Trevorrow.
Starring: Naomi Watts, Jaeden Lieberher, Jacob Tremblay, Dean Norris, Maddie Ziegler, Lee Pace, Sarah Silverman.
You know when opposing studios release similar films within the same year, sometime even months apart? Like Tombstone and Wyatt Earp or last year's Anthropoid and this year's HHhH; and even Cox's Churchill and Oldman's Darkest Hour. Well, without reading too much into it, I honestly thought this was one of the those moments, thinking it was going to be too similar to last month's early release, Gifted. But, I wrongly assumed.
It's actually feels very original with an intriguing and unsuspecting plot that is really more about the Book of Henry than anything else. I can't go into too much detail without spoiling the story, but it isn't what you might expect. The trailer can be misleading and thankfully so. But there's part of me that thinks they could have done away with a certain character all together without it losing emphasis, possibly even strengthening the characters back story. However, it works as it is and splits the story nicely into two key parts.
Lieberher unites with Watts after their work on St. Vincent; a film I hold in high regard. Both giving good performances. This Tremblay kid is certainly getting noticed, probably best known for playing Jack in last year's Room and he looks amazing in the incoming Wonder. Also, it's really good to see Sia's ballet extraordinary, Ziegler getting more screen time. All providing good performances, but nothing outstanding.
It's upsetting and slightly unnerving at times. But what really narked me, was that Henry gets overlooked, almost forgotten about, and actually becomes a story more about Susan, the Mother, than Henry himself with his book being the pivotal point of the film.
It's well captured, and demonstrates some of Trevorrow's talents as a director. Some people not being so impressed with his Jurassic World but won audience's hearts with Safety Not Guaranteed. However, like everything else of the film, apart from the actually story itself, it's just an above-average movie that tells a good story.
It's not a bad film, but there's nothing really amazing about either. It's rememberable purely because of it's intrigue plot, but it's not a film I'm going to go shouting about telling people to go watch it. My response would probably be, it's okay.
Running Time: 6
The Cast: 8
Performance: 6
Direction: 7
Story: 7
Script: 7
Creativity: 7
Soundtrack: 6
Job Description: 5
The Extra Bonus Point: 0
59% 6/10
