Regarding Henry

[ilovemovies]

An interesting movie with an especailly good performance from the incomparable Harrison Ford. Ford plays a lawyer who gets amnesia. And the bulk of the movie is, ofcoarse, him trying to regain his memories.
Grade: B

[Fergus]

Regarding Henry seemed like the kind of flick that might be better than it seemed. Ford's performance was said to be the best of his career, though I think that title goes to the performance in "The Mosquito Coast". The film did sport a great director Mike Nichols, and so I expected at least a decent flick. But, what it came down to was a sappy, and overly contrived film, that was as predictable as the newest serial killer flick out in theaters. I suppose they should've put a disclaimer on the film saying to "give your brain a rest for an hour and 40 minutes". But I couldn't keep my brain from working during this flick, and even though I enjoyed the outcome, I wish they hadn't thought up the idea of it in the first place.

(**1/2) or 5/10

[Kavan]

When this film came out I really loved it and saw it three times at the theater. But recently coming across it on cable I saw some of the limitations of the film. But it's still a good enough flick.

Harrison Ford gives one of his better performances as Harry Turner a cold yet prominent New York attorney. Turner is the kind of guy who measures success by how totally he destroyed the other side.

He's married obviously chilly to Annette Bennings Sarah. They have one daughter Rachel. From the brief glimpses we get of the Turner's marriage and family life Henry is about as cold at home as he is at work.

Then one night while going out for cigarettes Henry gets shot in the head. He wakes up brain damaged with little tangiable memory of his life and with certain impaired skills.

I think the problem is the script tries to remain to light weight and sentimental. It goes for cutesy stuff like Henry buying a dog. Henry seeing a porn flick. Etc. The real issues always linger near the surface but director Mike Nichols never really touches them.

That said the performances of Ford and Benning are excellent. They play the notes the script never touches on.

A good film but as Fergus said more could have been done with the concept. 6/10