- 1991movierewind
Episode #8: Regarding Henry
Updated: Apr 25, 2021
Listen to Episode 8 of the Podcast here while you enjoy the show notes.
SUMMARY - In Regarding Henry, Harrison Ford plays high-powered attorney Henry Turner. He’s demanding and aggressive and successful at everything he does. One night while running down to the corner store for cigarettes, he finds himself in the middle of an armed robbery and is shot twice. Although he survives, Henry is left with no memory and little control of his motor functions and now must re-learn how to live.
Screenplay by Jeffrey “J.J.” Abrams; Directed by Mike Nichols and released on July 10, 1991.
FILM DISCUSSION
We discuss the life and awards history of Mike Nichols, and talk about what might make him effective as a director.
Harrison Ford's character goes through a journey where he starts as a complete jerk (Elizabeth Wilson in the background) and after the shooting, recovers pretty quickly.
He goes from not walking and talking to doing both very soon. That leads to more moments of friendship with Bill Nunn who gives an awards-worthy performance.
This moment above marks the film's obsession with Ritz.
Henry paints Ritz (seen in the left side) and the screenwriter, J.J. Abrams makes a cameo as a grocery delivery person.
The movie does sprinkle in some comedy and gentle moments with his daughter.
We question why John Leguizamo chose to take such a small role as his star was pretty bright at this point already and he only has the one scene.
While Henry progresses physically, he hits a wall mentally, which creates a very awkward love scene.
There were no awards to talk about this time around, but we sill contend that Bill Nunn should have been considered over other nominated actors we've seen so far.
TRUE CRIME & POP CULTURE
We usually try to tie some true crime information into the movie or week of release. This time, Nikki delves into a court case where a couple sued people involved with the film, claiming that their life story was used as the basis of the movie.
The Top Songs of the Week were repeats of what we've seen before.
Bryan Adams with "(Everything I Do) I Do It For You." and Paula Abdul's "Rush Rush"
Around this time, Perry Farrell launched the first Lollapalooza music festival tour. Originally, it was a show that toured multiple cities in the US, before landing a permanent annual home in Chicago.
The TGIF lineup was again discussed, since it's a favorite of ours - http://www.tvtango.com/listings/1991/07/12/twenty_twenty
There was another busted pilot in that mix, called "Miss Jones."
We said we'd try to include a picture of the lead actress Christine Ebersole, and so here you are.
Here she is in her Saturday Night Live days.
This week we also offer a couple of corrections from previous episodes:
We clarify some details on The Corsican Brothers, and say that "Little Rosie" was from Roseanne Barr/Arnold and not Rosie O'Donnell as we mistakenly said.
RANKINGS & RATINGS
Nikki 1-5 star scale - 3 out of 5
Jon 0-4 star scale - 2 out of 4
Would you watch it again? - Nikki says yes, but Jon thought once was enough.
If you want to watch Regarding Henry, as of this recording in March 2021, it’s available on Prime, FuboTV, Epix, Digital Rental, VHS, DVD. Check your local listings
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