In the new Kingdom Story Company film “The Unbreakable Boy”, Zachary Levi (“Shazam,” “American Underdog”) and newcomer Jacob Laval deliver powerful performances that explore themes of faith, acceptance and the strength of family. Based on the true story of Scott LeRette’s memoir, the film follows the journey of a father coming to terms with his son’s disabilities.
Levi, who plays the role of Scott, was drawn to the script’s authentic portrayal of the human experience.
“It’s something that is very authentic to the human condition,” Levi said. “We have the opportunity to tell stories like this in order to show people you’re not alone. We’re all struggling through whatever these journeys are.”
The film’s underlying message of faith was important: “If we’re going to bring people to having a relationship with God and a relationship with faith, it can’t be something that we’re banging people over the head with,” he explained. “It’s got to be something that’s natural, it’s organic, it’s authentic, and it comes from a place of love.”
Levi’s co-star, Jacob Laval, who plays the role of Austin, Scott’s son, echoed similar sentiments about their on-screen chemistry.
“Working with Zach was great. He’s an amazing actor. We really had good chemistry. It really feels like Austin and Scott are talking to each other,” Laval said. He described how Levi’s dedication to the role helped him bring authenticity to his own performance. “He gave me a lot to work with on set. We hung out a lot offset and just his energy, you could tell like he is Scott. He’s Scott having a struggle, but he’s also Scott trying to give us all a good time and have a happy family.”
The film’s exploration of faith is woven throughout the narrative, as Scott has to forget his “idealized” version of his life and grapples with accepting his son’s diagnosis of osteogenesis imperfecta and autism.
“We can all relate to that,” he said. “We all have this idea of ‘No, no, this is who I am. This is what my life is supposed to be. These expectations of where it’s supposed to take us. And he’s really smacked in the face when he finds out that his son first has osteogenesis imperfecta, but then ultimately ends up on the autistic spectrum. These are not words that any parent wants to hear, and so he resists and he fights. He’s trying to somehow control these outcomes, and that never gets you anywhere good.”
Scott’s journey is one of “radical acceptance” and recognizing that God has a plan, Levi added, even when it doesn’t align with our own expectations.
“Scott, who’s not really a man of faith in the beginning of the film, really only starts finding faith toward the end, because he starts to see the beauty in the gift that is his son, not this broken version of his son,” he said. “But rather this gift through the autism that gives Austin this unbounded optimism and love and light that Scott finally begins to recognize and value.”
As “The Unbreakable Boy” makes its way to audiences, Levi and Laval hope the film’s message of faith and even surrender will resonate with viewers.
“The more we can relinquish control, the more we can walk with an open palm and say, ‘All right, God, I don’t understand this, but I’m willing to go down this road’, the more peace, the more hope, the more love can pour into our lives,” Levi said.
“The Unbreakable Boy,” written and directed by Jon Gunn and starring Zachary Levi, Meghann Fahy, Jacob Laval, Drew Powell, Peter Facinelli and Patricia Heaton, will release in theaters February 21. Watch a video interview with Levi and Laval below.
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