Review of Regarding Henry (1991) by Kai82 — 26 May 2022

A unique self discovery story or heroes journey. It is about the lawyer Henry Turner who is obsessed with his work, uses every dirty trick in the book to win trials and his job leaves no time for his family.

However his life changes when he goes to a convenience store and interrupts a robbery. He is shot in the head and the bullet hits his frontal lobe (brain). While he survives he has amnesia and has to relearn even the basics like talking, eating and moving.

In short he has to rediscover who he was before. I end it here to avoid spoilers. I like the story as it is like I said earlier a self discovery or rediscovery. A chance to see himself without excuses or maybe even a second chance.

This made the movie interesting for me. Others claimed they use too much cliches or tropes and I wont deny this. However these tell a compelling story and have a great moral lesson. A bit of a modern fairy tale I guess.

The actors help to deliver the story and Harrison Ford as Henry Turner is extremely good. He plays his role so well that I sometimes forgot that it was just a movie. Annette Bening as his wife Sarah Turner and Mikki Allen as their daughter Rachel Turner deliver their roles and give the family perspective.

I don't remember the other actors except Henrys caregiver and colleagues from the law firm who all did a praiseworthy performance. I should praise also director Mike Nichols and writer J. J. Abrams (Yes that one).

The score from the legend Hans Zimmer enhances the atmosphere. Overall this was a nice movie with an idea I liked and that gave me a lot to think. It might not be an all time classic or box office hit but not everything needs to be one.

An 8/10 seems fair for me.