Can a brush with death force a man to rewrite his own character?
In short: In this 1991 drama, a ruthless Manhattan attorney suffers a traumatic shooting that leaves him with severe brain damage and amnesia. As he relearns how to speak and move, he discovers that his former life was hollow, prompting a radical transformation that threatens his career and his marriage.
The film follows Henry Turner, a high-powered lawyer defined by his narcissism and unethical professional conduct. His life takes a violent turn when he is shot during a convenience store robbery, resulting in anoxia and profound neurological impairment. The narrative centers on his arduous recovery in a nursing facility, where he must rebuild his identity from scratch, effectively becoming a stranger to his own past.
As Henry reintegrates into his family life, he realizes he despises the person he used to be. His journey of self-discovery reveals uncomfortable truths about his previous existence, including a history of infidelity and a marriage that had long been devoid of genuine connection. The story explores the tension between his newfound, childlike innocence and the cynical, cutthroat world of his former legal career, eventually leading him to abandon his firm and reconcile with his wife, Sarah.
Directed by Mike Nichols and penned by J.J. Abrams, the production was met with polarized critical reception upon its July 1991 release. While Harrison Ford’s performance was widely praised, many reviewers criticized the film for relying on sentimental tropes and shallow plot contrivances. Despite this, the movie achieved commercial success, grossing $87.9 million worldwide against a $25 million budget. It remains a notable example of 1990s character-driven drama, balancing a serious exploration of trauma with the stylistic choices of a Hollywood studio feature.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Regarding Henry
- Also: Wikidata — Regarding Henry · CC0
- Also: Wikidata — Regarding Henry · CC0
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