A proposito di Henry

I survived a serious skydiving accident in December of 2011. I 'came too' in a trauma center with no memory of what had occurred and the majority of my life. One of the major injuries was a brain bleed from a fractured skull with a Traumatic Brain Injury, or TBI. Learning everything from scratch has been a long tough road. I owe so much to my family that chose to stick it out with me.

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.

Henry Turner (Harrison Ford) is a ruthless successful lawyer in New York City. Who lives with an beautiful wife (Annette Bening) and his smart but sad young daughter (Mikki Allen). When Henry simply wanted to buy a pack of cigarettes but he gets shot in the head, which brings Henry's high profile life to a stop. Henry lives from his gun shot wound but he has to start all over again. Since he has no memory at all. Henry finds help from a male nurse (Bill Nunn), which makes life fun for Henry by making him walk and talk. When Herny goes home with his family, the friends Henry once knew turns their backs on him. Henry learns the hard truth from his previous life and starting all over again as a complete stranger.

Directed by Mike Nichols (Closer, Wolf, Working Girl) made this dramatic often funny and touching film. Ford brings one of his best roles and it is also quite moving in this. Bening is equally good as his understanding wife. This wasn't quite success, they were expecting at the box office. But it did played well on video. "Regarding Henry" is one of those films, who always find yourself enjoying over and over again. John Leguizamo and James Rebhorn appears in cameos. Screenwriter:Jeffery Abrams (Now credited as J.J. Abrams), who wrote this film appears in a cameo as a delivery boy. Which Abrams is best known for being the creator as such television shows like "Alias" and "Lost". (****/*****).

I keep reading about how "sappy" and "predictable" this film is. This is true, so I will tell you now, if you hate those types of films then this is not the film for you.

But if you miss seeing movies that you waited for the happy ending you knew was coming, then you will not be disappointed. There are so many movies that don't end so happily nowadays, but remembering the times with movies that had a character who had to learn a lesson but got something more in the end (eg. "It's a Wonderful Life") I couldn't help but enjoy this movie.

I highly recommend it, the acting is fantastic, the story is touching, and knowing what it's like to go through hard times (my own dad had to go through some rehabilitation) then this movie hits it home. I suggest it if you agree with the points above, but it's not for everyone.

...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.