Regarding Henry

source: Regarding Henry

I've always wondered why this film wasn't very well liked. Maybe it's not upbeat enough or grandiose enough in scope. Henry doesn't bring down his former law firm and he doesn't recover fully (and you don't know that he will). However, it's a testament to Harrison Ford's normally under utilized ability as an actor. He essentially plays two roles (bad Henry at first and recuperating good Henry after the shooting). Seeing Henry discover his family and, in the process, give up his former life as a lawyer is heartening and done in a realistic manner. This movie shows us how easy it is to lose track of what is really important in our lives and should impress on the viewer that it should NOT take a bullet in the head to make us realize that. I think it's main problem is that it does not use anymore than a quiet kind of power to make its' points but that, I think, is part of the appeal of the film.

One problem I had with this movie was too-high of an expectation. A good friend said it was one of his "all-time favorite films" so I was expecting something super. This was good, but not of that caliber. The story was a good one: a ruthless lawyer gets shot and brain-injured and is forced to re- start his life. In the process, he becomes a good-hearted, nice man. This would be an excellent "family film" except for needless profanity and usage of the Lord's name in vain. Much of the language comes out of the mouth of the therapist. It's too bad they didn't tone the language down so more people could have enjoyed this good-message film. Warning: the film drags in spots, too. However, the good acting (Harrison Ford and Annette Bening provide attractive, solid lead performances) and the good story make this a good film overall. I wouldn't mind seeing this again.

I have read the multiple low ratings given to this film by the likes of Ebart and others. My response is somewhat simple, but first I have to concede that I watch drama films not as documentaries. ALL fiction is contrived. So what? What is special to me about this film is that Harrison Ford plays the character rather well. I am an emergency physician, and I know that a gun shot wound to the head, if survivable, is fraught with life changing effects. However, this is NOT the point of the movie. To me, the point of the movie is to reflect on MY humanity (or lack thereof). By watching his character go through rehab and, ultimately, arrive at his own sense of what he wants to be, I feel vindicated, in my mind, because I have become the person who I want to be. It IS personal to me! Not my job, not any wealth, but the essence of who I am, stripped from all the material passions confronting this world we live in. I have lived long enough to appreciate what is important to me. I am lucky enough to have discovered this quite long ago. Those who are unable to appreciate their own humanity AND humility are the truly poor among us. Who among us wants our epitaph to read "He made a lot of money!"?

...at the horrible ratings this film is getting. How can anyone not see & savor the multiple emotional trips upon which this film takes the viewer. From the lead male, to the lead female, the young girl - even the dog - the story steers viewers throughout the scope of humanity. Supporting cast are well-selected. If you're looking for Han or Indy, move on, for you'll be seeing a side of Harrison Ford not duplicated. Open your heart and mind, and embrace a lovely yet provocative film.

Considering all the talent involved in the making of this movie (Mike Nichols, J.J. Abrams, the cast), one would have fairly high expectations of it. One would, however, be horribly let down. It's a hackneyed, shallow, almost insultingly lame movie. Harrison Ford's performance is just okay; I was particularly amused by the "slicked-back hair = evil guy, floppy hair = nice guy" idiocy perpetrated in the personal styling of his character. I kept wanting a story that felt real, relatable, or genuinely touching to develop, but the whole thing was just painted in such broad strokes that the result was laughable. The message of the film ("Sometimes it takes getting shot in the head to change you from an @- hole to a great guy!") is cheesy and obvious. This crew of folks is capable of producing much more complex art. Sadly, this ain't it.

Meet Henry Turner - Mega-wealthy, high-powered, super-successful, Manhattan corporate-lawyer. Not only is Henry despicable, ruthless, dishonest and corrupt in his profession (this makes for an ideal lawyer, I hear), but he also operates in the same mean and rotten way towards his family and friends, too. One fine day, Henry, in his usual mode of miserable arrogance, inadvertently steps into the midst of a robbery that's taking place at some scuzzy, run-down Mini-Mart. (Like, what's Henry doing in this area of town, anyways?) Henry is promptly shot "bulls-eye" (right smack dab) in the exact goddamn middle of the forehead by some two-bit crook with the precision aim of a real marksman. Unfortunately, this bullet to the brain doesn't kill Henry. Instead, after a miraculous recovery (in record time, no less) Henry is transformed, like an angel, into Mr. Sugar-And-Spice-And-Everything-Nice. This character turn-about has got to be one of the phoniest and most sickening change-of-heart scenarios that I've ever witnessed. Like - OK - I could easily understand it if the bullet to the head had lobotomized Henry, and then turned him into a human vegetable, or something. But, it didn't. What it did was completely change his overall personality. It was a 180 degree turn around. I really wonder what medical science would have to say about this sort of movie-nonsense?

One of those high-budget, yet relentlessly schlocky movie-star vehicles which both pander and condescend to a mass audience; the pedigree talent involved may well warrant a viewing, yet the film is so pompous it makes viewers feel like chumps for watching. Harrison Ford plays a slimy, self-absorbed lawyer whose life takes a drastic turn after he walks into a liquor store being robbed. Annette Bening plays Ford's spouse who helps her husband through a difficult period, and has a rebirth of her own. This is precisely the type of material director Mike Nichols would have thumbed his nose at twenty years ago; working here rather joylessly, Nichols wraps all the phony uplift in cinematic Saran Wrap. The self-deceit (and smugness) hanging over the film is like a gray pallor. *1/2 from ****

I know this movie was not a big hit when it came out but it is really a good film. Harrison Ford is great as one of his most likable characters that I have seen him portray. Henry, a corrupt lawyer who withholds evidence when his client is obviously guilty and a womanizer is seriously injured in a robbery. When he comes to, he has lost his memory and has to be re-taught just about everything. His teacher is a very virtuous man, who teaches Henry to enjoy the good things in life (Henry loves most of all Ritz crackers). Thus the mean, cheating Henry who forced his daughter to remain at a boarding school that she hates, is suddenly transformed into a kind man who cares about everybody's feelings. Eventually, he figures out that the Henry he once was a horrible person and he hopes never to go back to that life. Annette Benning is great and beautiful as the wife that had an uncaring husband who all of a sudden loves her more than anything. She has to decide if she is ready to leave the life they led with other uncaring and obnoxious friends. Priceless scenes, especially those involving Henry and his secretary!

Roger Ebert wasn't particularily fond of "Regarding Henry," because it is contrived, predictable, and sitcom-ish. And in retrospect, he's right on all accounts. But being a sucker for Harrison Ford, I had to watch Henry and I did like the movie, despite some obvious parts where scenes seem to be...well, missing. We do realize fairly quickly that this is going to be one of those "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" tales: the big, bad, dishonest lawyer who is turned into a new man. Albeit, Ford has a rough road to that reformation, via head injuries, a coma, physical therapy, etc, but we can see it coming a mile in advance. However, "Henry" boasts some touching moments, at least for me. When Henry begins therapy, the therapist asks the once-prominent lawyer to pick out the triangle from among some blocks. Although we don't see Henry's choice, we hear the therapist's encouraging voice: "Close. I'll give you a hint, that's not it." At that moment I couldn't help but wonder how desperate a situation it would be if someone I loved was there, struggling among rectangles and circles. Annette Bening and Ford are both intelligent actors who succeed in their roles, however underwritten they may be. But I wondered how probable certain situations were: Would Henry automatically love his wife because he's supposed to? What about their money problems?? Too many unanswered questions, but still worth a spin.