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It's a rare occurrence in which I heavily disagree with critical responses to films. I had no idea what The Book of Henry was about. I hadn't watched a trailer and I hadn't read the IMDb synopsis. Save for watching a web critic's review (which was stunningly brief in plot description), I knew nothing going into this except that it was directed by Jurassic World's Colin Trevorrow, the man at the helm of 2019's Star Wars Episode IX. If I had seen the overwhelmingly negative reviews for this film prior to trekking down to the cinema to see it, I probably would have skipped out. Then again, it was either this or Transformers: The Last Knight, and I know well enough by now not to see a film with Michael Bay's name attached to it. But, here we are, I've seen The Book of Henry, and I really like it, disagreeing with the negative critical reception it has received.

It's difficult to dive too much into the plot of the film. That's not because it's hard to follow, but it fares better the less you know about it. Henry (Lieberher) is a kid genius. Inventive and constantly thinking, Henry is the man of the house. He looks out for his little brother Peter (Tremblay) at school and even provides guidance for his video game playing, picture book creating mother Susan (Watts), and going as far to even take charge of their financing. When he suspects that his next door neighbor and fellow classmate is being psychically abused by her stepfather, he takes it into his own hands to save her. And that's all I'm going to say, because the less you know the better.

I'm quite surprised by how many critics have trashed this. Naomi Watts is on top form here and carries the emotional weight of the film, and Jacob Tremblay (of last year's excellent Room) is again fantastic albeit playing a smaller role. Lieberher completely sells it as Henry and is likable as the title character. Michael Giacchino (composer of films like Inside Out and Rogue One) creates a beautiful score that fits the film perfectly, and Trevorrow's direction keeps the film afloat despite a few screenplay misfires. For the most part, the script works despite its somewhat unconventional narrative, but I found it continuously unpredictable and responded heavily to the performances, especially Watts. There are a few small misfires but on the whole, it works in its own peculiar way, and the film is beautifully shot.

Whilst The Book of Henry is certainly not for everyone, it had me from the get go. I was at first concerned with Trevorrow being the director for Star Wars Episode IX, but now I'm intrigued to see where he takes it. I'm grateful not to have known anything about this film before letting myself become absorbed by it, and I thought about it for a long while afterwards. On this rare occasion, ignore the bad buzz and give it a go.

I had no expectations going into this movie. I knew I like the director, the leading actress and it had an interesting premise. However, I was pleasantly surprised by this under-the-radar film and am sure general audiences will as well. The Book of Henry is an emotionally affecting film with a few fine messages about parenthood and altruism.

The movie actually surprised me. Perhaps it's because I had no prior knowledge about it, but the twist (I don't think it's supposed to be a twist per se) in the movie is reminiscent of Psycho, in that the seeming protagonist has an interesting cinematic journey. That provides the basis of our catharsis. It's actually very solid writing. We become invested in this character who has a charm and wit about him that's irresistibly likable and we fall for him. We become invested in his relationships with his mother, his little brother and his neighbor. The plot is already in motion and then the twist happens.

After this twist, the true protagonist comes to the forefront and we become invested in her because we feel for her and root for her cause. The only issue - her cause happens to be literally unbelievable and predictably improbable. However, we find ourselves nearly believing it. I mean, there's a sequence that's utterly Hitchcockian, when there's cross editing between two separate scenes. One scene is used as the musical background for the other and the tension is palpable. It's reminiscent of the concert scene in The Man Who Knew Too Much. It all comes to a satisfying ending that we all knew was coming and yet, isn't any less smile inducing.

The performances are very good. Naomi Watts is one of our generation's most consistent actors and the youngsters Jacob Tremblay and Jaeden Lieberher hold their weight and then some. However the score and direction deserve a lot of credit. The film is very well paced and switches between tones so seamlessly. Never are we pulled out of the film because it gets boring or it goes too quickly or it switches between genres.

A lot of reviews are bashing the film. Don't get me wrong, it has its flaws. The foundation of the character is never told and is a glaring hole. A few plot elements are improbable, definitely. However, those are forgivable in the grand scheme. This film has charm and intrigue. I believe it'll go down as one of those films where critics and general audiences just don't agree. With that said, I give this movie 3 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 10 to 18. It can be seen at a local theater when it opens June 16, 2017.

Reviewed by Willie J., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

I gave 'The Book of Henry' 7 stars, but would love to have given it more. It really is an unusual movie, and I'm not talking about the subject matter. I'm talking about the flow of the movie. It has two distinct, very different halves, separated by some moments of gut-wrenching tragedy that will have all but the most cynical reaching for the Kleenex.

The first and most enjoyable part of the movie introduces the characters - a single mum, her two sons, her good-hearted but rough-around-the edges-friend and the girl next door, who just might be dealing with some problems of her own. The movie does a good job of this and we really develop an affection for these people. Then tragedy strikes and the movie suddenly veers off into an extremely ridiculous and far-fetched plot line involving the mother and the eponymous Book of Henry. It's silly and unbelievable and if you are able to put yourself in the mother's shoes and imagine yourself acting as she does, you will agree. You just wouldn't.

Fortunately for the movie, by the time the silliness kicks in we have enough emotional investment with the characters to carry us through to the end and actually enjoy the show. Acting throughout is good. Jaeden Lieberher and Jacob Tremblay shine. The adults are good too.

It's cliched. It's dumb in places. It's moving and thoroughly engaging in others. In short, it's seriously flawed, but it's enjoyable and despite the silly second half, the ending is satisfying if, again, a little unbelievable. I'm glad I watched it.

I went into The Book Of Henry expecting essentially a kids film, I guess by the title I figured this would be something akin to Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2010). I was wrong, I was really really wrong.

The Book of Henry is a masterful clever title that isn't for kids and I wouldn't even say is suitable "Family" viewing. It tells the story of a single mum with her two children, she's essentially failing at life and the eldest of her two sons (Still a little boy) is the man of the house. He's a child genius and his mother depends on him to an overwhelming extent. He begins to fear his friend next door is being abused by her father so sets about a powerful intricate plan but things don't go to plan and the whole film goes in a direction I certainly did not forsee.

A true tour de force The Book of Henry had me gripped with it's remarkable plot and strong performances, by the half way point I expected this to potentially be another 10 but sadly it fell short.

Don't get me wrong The Book of Henry is a good film, it's clever, it's witty, it's unpredictable and it's heartfelt but somewhere along the way it falls short of greatness.

It's tone is inconsistent and it would be very hard for me to narrow down a demographic, it's similiar to The Lovely Bones (2009) in it's dark overtones but oddly quaint imagery.

Well made and certainly an original piece this perhaps should have been better but regardless is a sweet little film.

The Good:

Unpredictible

Powerful stuff

The Bad:

Fails to truly deliver on its potential

Not sure Watts was the best casting choice

Things I Learnt From This Movie:

Not every child actor makes me want to dive into the screen and slap them repeatedly. Most, but not all.

Naomi Watts tends to pick movies that are simply too good for her

"The Book of Henry" is definitely not for people who like taut, coherent, logical plots devoid of standard clichés. As others have noted, it's really all over the place, and its mix of silly comedy and tear-jerker tragedy, realism and fantasy, cuteness and horror, and so forth doesn't exactly pan out in the end. Still, if you enjoy films that are simply different experiences, emotionally stirring even if they require you to heavily suspend disbelief, perhaps lay it aside altogether, this film will probably prove worth seeing, and you may really love it. It certainly keeps your attention with numerous surprises and much suspense. Fine acting by Naomi Watts and just about everyone else, along with some stunning scenery of the upstate NY setting, also help this film. I am glad to have seen "The Book of Henry" and would like to give it a higher rating, but with all its issues, I just can't.

Has you laughing and crying, very human. Didn't know what to expect when I started watching this, stumbled upon the title. The richness of the characters, you could feel the love in the family through the acting.

It's been a while since a trailer threw me completely. The intent of a trailer is to entice the viewer in to seeing the film, to tickle your curiosity. The trailer for The Book of Henry did this admirably. Like a magician's sleight of hand, it provided misdirection too. Having seen the film, I left thinking that that was not what the trailer implied. Hats off to  editor, Kevin Stitt.

The plot synopsis on IMDb.com, written by the distributors, Focus Features lays out the plot without spoilers:

Sometimes things are not always what they seem, especially in the small suburban town where the Carpenter family lives. Single suburban mother Susan Carpenter (played by Naoimi Watts) works as a waitress at a diner, alongside feisty family friend Sheila (Sarah Silverman). Her younger son Peter (Jacob Tremblay, who we last saw in Room) is a playful 8-year-old. Taking care of everyone and everything in his own unique way is Susan's older son Henry (Jaden Lieberher), age 11. Protector to his adoring younger brother and tireless supporter of his often self-doubting mother - and, through investments, of the family as a whole - Henry blazes through the days like a comet. Susan discovers that the family next door, which includes Henry's kind classmate Christina, has a dangerous secret - and that Henry has devised a surprising plan to help. As his brainstormed rescue plan for Christina takes shape in thrilling ways, Susan finds herself at the centre of it.

This is Colin Trevorrow's second feature and he has crafted a warm, charming, sometimes despair-filled film that ultimately brings a message of hope. Good triumphs over evil in the end, as it should in most films.  

Critics have been very harsh in their reviews. Some decry being emotionally manipulated! Is that not the whole point of going to see a film? Audience reactions are more favourable.

My reaction? I cried. Twice.

A very enjoyable and competent film: 3.5 out of 5

While rating and writing reviews about more recent similar films (I'm writing this in December, 2017) like Greta Gerwig's "Lady Bird," the Julia Roberts vehicle "Wonder," and Brooke Shields' turn in "Daisy Winters" (all films about young people struggling to cope with a variety of obstacles as they try to find their place in the world), I realized I was comparing them to how I felt when I exited viewing "The Book of Henry." I hadn't realized until now just how much "Henry" has stuck with me long after viewing, so I was surprised to find in checking my list of reviews written I had rated "Henry" but not written a review of it. I'm doing so now to alert those who may be wondering whether it's worth their time that it is, as I know it has gotten mixed reviews and didn't do well financially in theaters--but I'm also going to refrain from writing about any plot points or spoilers, as I was lucky enough to see "Henry" without knowing anything about it, not having even seen an advance trailer, and I recommend the same for you as the best way to see it: knowing nothing about any of its twists or even its core story. I found the cast perfect, in an ensemble kind of way, and remember the warmth and kindness generated by the film overall as I exited the theater. It has turned out to be one of my favorite films of the year, and I want to make sure to say so here because it was so terribly under-appreciated on its initial release, and barely seen by anyone, making it one of those films that, in my opinion, many people will be discovering on streaming or on DVD, and, after then watching it and enjoying it, wondering why they hadn't heard of it when it was released in theaters. It truly fits the "under-appreciated gem" label so many of these kinds of character-study films eventually end up with.

"Violence isn't the worst thing in the world. What is then? Apathy."

I'm sure that some movie critics of reputable newspapers ("The Guardian" and the like) and magazines are awful, out-of-touch guys, who pine away on a dusty attic avoiding any contact with other human individuals. Pessimists who cringe at the sign of a bit of emotions and sugar-sweet feelgood moods and hide like a slug that encounters a grain of salt on her path. The result is an allergic reaction of disgust and aversion, after which they begin to spit their guts and criticize the targeted object. Is "The Book of Henry" really overly-sentimental? Is it so sugary that your blood glucose levels suddenly go berserk? Is it so un-freakin-believable that a Jerry Springer show looks like a realistic show? And does the second part of the movie about revenging a child molester feel extremely exaggerated? Maybe yes. However, calling this film the biggest crap of the year, demonstrates shortsightedness and empathy similar to that of a mummified Egyptian pharaoh.

Whatever they claim, "The Book of Henry" is an amiable and entertaining evening filler. Something I'm yearning for after an endless series of nerve-racking or extremely serious movies where you need to stay focused, so you won't lose the thread after another plot-twist. I admit I watched the first chapter with more pleasure than the second chapter. Not because of the acting. But content-wise it was sometimes a bit too much and after a while it lost a bit of its credibility. For instance. I doubt you can buy a high-tech sniper rifle in the U.S. just by saying some obscure name and waving with a bundle of dollar bills. Let's skip the formalities! And someone calling the authorities after seeing an emotional performance of a ballet dancer, was quite bizarre. Especially when bruises and the timid behavior of the girl herself (plus Henry's testimonies) didn't ring any bells before.

You can say the film is kind of bizarre. Not only because of the family situation in which the Carpenter family finds itself. That's already extremely strange. Also the sudden twist in the middle of the story is bit of uncommon. Not often a main character leaves the story so early. Even though he isn't completely out of the picture. And that's why I'm talking about two chapters. The "pre" and "post" Henry period. Perhaps the mix of genres is a cause for criticism. At first, it looks like an innocent youth movie. Then it goes from a melodrama to a thriller with a revenge motive. Granted, that might be too much as well.

I enjoyed the acting the most. Jaeden Lieberher as bright Henry. A young boy looking at the world with very different eyes due to his unimaginable intelligence and at the same time he's still like an average, everyday boy. The way in which he confronts his classmates with the real facts is both sobering as extremely funny. Lieberher plays this with seemingly little effort. A brilliant mind but played in such a way that he remains human. Only I thought that his cartoonish machine he designed, using wires, hammers and wooden mechanisms, was quite contradictory to his high intellectual abilities. Naomi Watts (gorgeous role in "Demolition" by the way) is a known quantity, although she's acted of the screen a bit by her dominant son and all she seems to be doing is hitting the buttons on her PS4 controller. Even in the second chapter, Henry is holding her hand and is in charge of everything. But especially Jacob Tremblay, as the younger brother Peter, really surprised me. Not because of his impact on the story. But the professionalism he displays in shaping his personality. A likable and highly amusing character. Maddie Ziegler knew how to play the emotionally broken neighbor girl in a sublime way. A rendition in which the repressed emotions impressed more than Henry's occasional hyper-kinetic behavior.

Perhaps it's my age that makes me more melancholic and I'm touched much faster. However, I think most viewers approach this movie in a wrong way. I read somewhere that Henry's preconceived plan (which he has worked out in detail in his red booklet) is the opposite of his intellectual ability. A burst in his wisdom because it's revenge he's after. However, perhaps this was the only solution he could come up with after deductive and analytical reasoning. How does anyone react when witnessing that a criminal offense goes unpunished? And legal measures don't have the desired effect? Perhaps it takes more time for average intelligent people to come to the same conclusion.

I'm afraid I'm the only one with a positive opinion about this movie. Apparently, I like to root for the underdogs among movies. I'm sure that critics and opponents of "The book of Henry" will say that Trevorrow, after this cinematic adventure, delivered better work in the more realistic blockbuster "Episode IX". Even if he would add a scene with Chewbacca, Han Solo and Luke Skywalker dancing the can-can, these experts of stories on celluloid will probably approve it and claim that the man has added a willful interpretation to the Star Wars story. But he mustn't give in to willfulness when it comes to other movies (grinding teeth intonation). I am pleased that rebellious movies like "The Book of Henry" are made in Hollywood and not only the sometimes saltless crap that's being released. Because those are the movies where I say "Well, this was a great movie" when it's finished.

More reviews here : http://bit.ly/2qtGQoc

I hate it when the story line defies common sense.

This story is made up for effect, were this movie an actor performing it would be called 'schmieren'. Way too much for effect, like a comedian laughing on his own jokes.

A genius boy acting as if he.is the father of the house parenting his little brother and his mother who acts as if she is the 11yearold.

There is too much in this movie that defies common sense.

Granted, the young boys are adorable and acting well. It's fun to see the jokes yet I feel it is all too sentimental and constructed for effect.

A lousy movie.

I had no idea what this movie was about, but decided to go because the critics panned it but it got good reviews from viewers. This is a wonderful story about some wonderful people in a very not so normal, but loving family. And first and foremost, it is a STORY!!!! So you can suspend your feelings of, "it just does not seem real to me"! It is beautifully filmed; wonderful acting and character development! Your feelings will run the gamut, but that is what excellent storytelling is all about. Do yourself a favor and go see this movie!

Sometimes things are not always what they seem, especially in the small suburban town where the Carpenter family lives. Single mother Susan Carpenter (Noami Watts) works as a waitress at a diner, alongside feisty family friend Sheila (Sarah Silverman) . Her younger son Henry Carpenter (Jaeden Martell) is a playful 8-year-old. Taking care of everyone and everything in his own unique way is Susan's older son Henry (Jacob Tremblay), age 11. Protector to his adoring younger brother and tireless supporter of his often self-doubting mother - and, through investments, of the family as a whole - Henry blazes through the days like a comet. Susan discovers that the family next door, which includes stepfather Glenn (Dean Norris) and Henry's kind classmate Christina (Maddie Ziegler) , has a dangerous secret - and that Henry has devised a surprising plan to help. As his brainstormed rescue plan for Christina takes shape in thrilling ways, Susan finds herself at the center of it. Never leave things undone !.

A sensitive and enjoyable film with nice acting, though a bit slow, the story results to be some boring. The history blends a strange mixture of silly family comedy, melodrama, realism, suspense, cuteness and terror with uneven results. The film is acceptable and passable and the final half hour elevates it quite a bit. The family plot line is simplistic , though it has some twists and turns, and so various characters are predictable, but it is a good entertainment. Decent interpretations from Noami Watts as the protective and sensitive mother, Jacob Tremblay as the intelligent, wise older son, Jaeden Martell as the naive younger son, Sarah Silverman as the likeable friend, Dean Norris as nasty stepfather, Lee Pace as Doctor Daniels and special mention for Maddie Ziegler as the charming dancer at her big screen debut.

It packs a colorful and brilliant cinematography by cameraman John Schwartzman, as well as vibrant and rousing musical score by Michael Giacchino, both of whom are Colin Trevorrow's regulars .The picture was professionally written and directed by filmmaker Colin Trevorrow and shot in 36 days . Trevorrow is a fine craftsman , he wrote and directed "Home Base" that became one of the early viral successes on the internet. His first feature film was the succesful "Safety Not Guaranteed" and following Jurassic World (2015) this quickly became one of the largest grossing in the year because it gives audiences exactamente what they want , only more so and following this The Book of Henry (2017). Rating : 6/10. Acceptable and attractive but no notable film.

I don't think that this movie deserves so much hate! I actually thought it was really good. The actors is really good at their job. The plot is a liiittle bit weird, but good in a way.

I also broke a little tear, it's very tearable this movie, while it has comedy and drama. That's what a good movie needs!

The Book of Henry is the new film from Jurassic World and Safety Not Guaranteed director Colin Trevorrow, who we now know is going to be the director of Episode 9 in the Star Wars franchise.

Perhaps that's why this indie flick is getting the added attention this weekend or it could be the fact that this really is the summer's most 'you have to see it to believe it" movie.

It seemed interesting to me on paper and to hear Trevorrow describe it I have to say it only appealed to me more. But the reviews for this thing so far, holy crap, you would think Trevorrow was showing footage from his last proctology exam.

The whole thing has left Star Wars fans reeling and you just can't do that cause over the years these have become naturally jumpy people. And if you had to accept Phantom Menace as part of your favorite film franchise, you would be too.

And I must say i'm confused, not by the film itself, which is actually quite good if not the the most tidy narrative, but by the genuine disdain the film seems to have elicited from critics. Granted there are far-fetched things here, but the direction is sound.

The movie is about one of those 11 year old super geniuses who you really only find in film. The ones who can balance the family's financial statements and also knows a good stock from a bad one.

His single waitress mom, played by Naomi Watts, basically struggles to just keep her own life together and his nerdy brother constantly needs saving from bullies. So he is the family's backbone. So much so that mom worries about his lack of "normal kid-ness".

As if this kid doesn't have enough to worry about, the girl next door may also be getting physically abused by her Step-father and no one can do a thing about it because of his relationship with the small town's police department.

I really can't remember the last time i've seen the abusive step-father stereotype used this well since the early 90's. For much of the film, the victim is given no voice, seen only in brief, disturbing imagery. It's point that apathy towards seeing something like this is also well received.

And that's what will make the crux of this movie such a hot button issue that people will discuss ad nauseum when they leave the theater. I won't give it away but i'll say Trevorrow shows a skillful hand in going from quirky to dark.

Did the film need to take a detour into one character getting a brain tumor for this film about seeing something but not saying something to work? No. Did the doctor from that particular segment need to keep showing up afterwards? Also, no.

But the film is trying to be a tear-jerk too and here Trevorrow again does a job he should be getting applauded over, not second-guessed about a popular film franchise.

He's helped out beautifully by this cast, who never hit a false note. Watts is a mother like any other, trying to protect her young kids by keeping things light and fun but in the process never really fully grasping being an adult until she goes through her progression in this film.

Jaeden Lieberher, who already has an impressive resume with "Midnight Special" and the Bill Murray comedy "St. Vincent", and he'll also be in "Stephen King's It" later this year, also brings a mature, level-headed approach to Henry.

And then there's Jacob Tremblay, who at age 10 is already killing it after his performance in "Room". Here he does a great job playing the nerdy kid who feels forgotten compared to his genius brother.

Overall this movie deserves credit. Greg Hurwitz's screenplay definitely feels somewhat awkward and i'm not sure I would call it original either but damn if it's not well acted, well directed, and really makes you think about a very hot button issue.

If you liked this, check out Craig James Review on Youtube.

The performance of the two boys (Jaeden Martell and Jacob Trembaly) is amazing, they are so talented and they did more than great. Naomi Scott's performance was also perfect. The film is so good, it made me cry and laugh. It touched me in all ways. But, my only problem with it is where is the moral of the story, it has some violence presented, although the ending didn't encourage anything bad. But I couldn't find the goal or the purpose of the story except (violence isn't the worst thing in the world, apathy is) That's the only thing I can take as a moral of the story. But as a movie, it was pretty good.

The Book of Henry is a beautifully layered movie about the joys and sorrows of being a human being. No one in this brilliant story overplays their part; it's such a pleasure to be introduced to each of them as it unfolds. Just as in life there are starts and stops here which captivate the viewer from the beginning and they are drawn in until the ending. For those who say the story might not be plausible simply pick up the newspaper or watch the news these days; anyone involving the human spirit is possible. It would be too brazen to explain the plot in detail because like a great book, a great play or a great novel you simply know it when you see it. Unfortunately, the mass audiences will not appreciate this movie as it will be well above their mindset. I absolutely loved it.

Having gone into this film per my girlfriend's request and without watching the trailer, I was positively delighted. I was prepared for another Gifted, or some sort of touching film about a boy growing up too fast because of his genius. The Book of Henry is not at all like I anticipated and is full of surprises. This film made me genuinely sad, stressed, and excited. An unexpected treat!

Well the movie was no less a tale than those Watts's character writes. I love such tales. More a drama than a thriller, the level of genius of the elder son was a bit over the top... but this was more than its parts and overall a nice ride.

And I just love Naomi Watts. The kids' performances were good, too. And of course the bad wolf. But Watts... Great choice, just great.

I can go so far as to say this is a family flick.

Don't watch the movie and then rate it low just because it's not the unpredictable thriller riddled with self-defeating twist bombs that you were wanting to watch. Just try other movies because this movie is basically drama.

After watching "The Book of Henry", I felt so strongly about the movie that I made a profile on IMDb just so that I can post this review. I truly feel sorry for all the people who are posting the negative comments. All the references to other movies from the previous century do not make you sound more educated or sophisticated. Why does everything have to be compared to something else?? Take the movie at its face value. It is an absolutely heart-wrenching story that is told so well it could make anyone cry. As long as they still have feelings. Perhaps it's because I don't watch thrillers very often so I'm not dead inside. I think people expect there so be some excruciating physical/emotional pain in a movie for it to be good. That's sad. This movie is deep, smart, well-written, and gently took me through my emotions as I was on the edge of my seat for the second half of it. What more could you ask for from a movie??

Yes, it does have some parts that are not believable. IT IS A MOVIE AFTER ALL!! Hello??

I think this is a must see. If you're a normal human being with a non-damaged emotional system and half a brain then you will absolutely love it. ENJOY!