A New Movie About an Iowa Family is Now Available to Stream
Released in theaters in February after a multiyear delay, a new drama revolves around a family with deep roots in Iowa. It tells a story of a family raising a son who, despite being stricken with multiple perceived setbacks, embraces the world with an enviable enthusiasm many of us wish we could possess.
The film is The Unbreakable Boy, and its path to release was anything but conventional. I remember upon moving to Dubuque in early 2022, seeing trailers, and even a poster at the local AMC. And then, the film completely vanished. It was pulled from release just days before it was set to come out in March of that year.
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It Wasn't an Easy Path to Release:
The Unbreakable Boy would languish in purgatory for over two years after that, with no updates on its release until early 2024, when it was revealed the film would finally hit theaters in February 2025. Having missed it in theaters, I finally caught it last night. Little did I know, this film tells the story of an Iowa family who overcame multiple odds in order to form their unique family.
Starring Zachary Levi and Meghann Fahy, The Unbreakable Boy revolves around the LeRette family, who have roots in Red Oak, IA. The film shows the life of Scott (Levi) and Teresa (Fahy), a couple who give birth to a plucky young boy named Austin (Jacob Laval), also known as "Aus-Man." Teresa has a condition known as osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), a disease that makes one's bones brittle. Unfortunately, she passes the condition to Austin at birth.
What is The Unbreakable Boy About?:
The film, written and directed by Jon Gunn (The Case for Christ, Jesus Revolution), tells the story of the LaRette family from both Scott and Austin's perspectives. Scott struggles with sobriety and his own career before and after Austin is born. Later, Austin is diagnosed with autism, evident in his constant babbling and inability to read social skills.
As much as the movie is about Austin learning to read the world around him, and the people in it, the film is also about Scott learning to accept his son as he is.
The Film is Also Based on a Book:
The Des Moines Register, who caught up with the LeRette family in lieu of the film's release, talks about how the real-life Scott LeRette turned to writing in order to get sober and learn how to be an effective father to his autistic son. His book, The Unbreakable Boy: A Father's Fear, a Son's Courage, and a Story of Unconditional Love, is the basis for Gunn's new movie.
LeRette also told The Des Moines Register that he attended several advanced screenings and premieres for The Unbreakable Boy and loved the impact the film is having on people:
We're living in a world right now that is broken and so divided and it's just a good time for a story like this - Scott LeRette, per The Des Moines Register
Where Can You See The Unbreakable Boy?:
Following its theatrical release in February, The Unbreakable Boy is currently available to stream on several platforms. As of this writing, you can rent the film on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, and Fandango at Home. See a complete list of services on which you can watch the film on JustWatch's website.
Read more about The Unbreakable Boy on Wikipedia, and find out more about the LeRette family on The Des Moines Register's website.
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