Review of The Book of Henry (2017) by Randy L — 01 Jul 2017

Although I haven't read most, I understand the brunt of professional criticism of "Henry" has bordered on the savage, and given film critics' - especially those who write for national and large metropolitan publications - tendency to parse and deconstruct, they likely found a treasure trove of flaws in character treatment (especially mother Susan), ill-fitting conceits and warped presentation of serious social issues.

Difficult as it is for me to suspend critical thinking in my approach to nearly everything, I watched this film as the bird, not the ornithologist, and I thought the storyline engaged and thrilled with rich narrative flow.

Early on, I sensed a connection with "To Kill A Mockingbird", a stand-alone classic in the pantheon of movies portraying the corrupt adult world seen through the eyes of children. A loving single parent rearing two young kids; a small town with a sinister underbelly; the story told from an insightful child's point of view; a pervasive theme of social injustice; destroyed innocence; redemption.

A plot that deftly builds suspense and tension with tenderness, and a resolution that satisfies even if it can't fully compensate for the loss within. For me, plenty of residual glow to recommend to all but the paid Ginsu's, the slicers and dicers of good story-telling who not only insist on ornithology but seem to prefer vivisection.