Review of The Book of Henry (2017) by Orlando O — 10 Nov 2017

The Book of Henry is quite something for a drama film that follows a story that suppose to be quite a serious matter about child abuse and a gifted kid, who takes notes and has a solution on how to deal with it. The film in general fails to be a compelling drama from its lackluster script that has underdeveloped characters, uneven direction and tone, and some weird plot logic.

The plot follows a genius boy Henry (Jaeden Lieberher) and his younger brother Peter and there single mother Susan (Naomi Watts). Henry is gifted; he does all the financial situations for his mother. He even manages their stocks and bonds and gives the mother advice on what she can do. When there neighbor Christina (Maddie Ziegler) is abused by her step father. Henry takes matters to his own hands, when they can't contact the police cause the stepfather works for the police commissioner. He takes notes and plans a strategy to have her stepfather killed.

What I liked about the film is the cast ensemble, Jaeden Lieberher did great as Henry. A gifted intelligent child, which feels like he raises his mother instead of her being the responsible parent. Naomi Watts was okay, playing an irresponsible mother, who feeds her kids junk food and desserts. And plays xbox games. Which the movie feels a little weird to see Naomi Watts being a hardcore gamer. Jacob Tremblay was okay. And Maddie Ziegler was great as a child that is haunted by her abuse. And Dean Morris playing a creepy stepfather.

Otherwise, the things that did not work with the movie are about everything. I was disappointed with the direction. Especially, it's Colin Trevorrow, who did great with Jurassic World. But this short budget film was disappointing. The direction felt uneven. The movie felt like it's suppose to be a fairy coming of age tale than adding the dark serious matter like child abuse than having Susan training herself to be an assassin. There was no transition with its tone.

The script was filled with undeveloped characters. Susan as an irresponsible mother. Then, there is her alcoholic friend played Sarah Silverman which felt like she was unneeded in the movie.

Also, Michael Giacchino music score in the movie is disappointing compared to all his other work. The music felt like it's suppose to be a fairy tale tone when the plot and concept of the idea is suppose to be different. It just did not match with its tone and story.

Overall, The Book of the Henry is a bad film. Jaeden Lieberher and Maddie Ziegler were great in their roles. But the script was terrible because the characters were never developed. The direction and tone was all over the place and uneven. It had its lighter coming of age tale than switches to serious abuse matter.

I rate the film 2 out of 5 stars. I would not recommend it unless your re bored and want to see something than I ll say its best to consider this as a rental.