Harry and the Hendersons

Harry and the Hendersons is a popular family comedy film that hit the screens in 1987. This eccentrically charming film is directed by William Dear and offers a somewhat different angle to our usual expectation of a horror-filled creature encounter movie. The awe-inspiring, oddball character of the creature, Harry, was brought to life by Rick Baker’s incredible mastery in makeup and special effects, earning him an Academy Award. The exceptional casting of the film includes notable stars such as John Lithgow, Melinda Dillon, and Margaret Langrick.

In this movie, Lithgow embodies George Henderson, an ordinary middle-class man living a peaceful life with his family. The family's ordinary life takes an entirely unexpected turn when they accidentally hit a Sasquatch, colloquially known as Bigfoot, with their car while returning from a camping trip in the jagged splendor of the Pacific Northwest. Thinking they've killed this unique creature, they decide to bring it home. But the beast proves to be very much alive, waking in their home and causing some mildly anarchic yet family-friendly havoc. That’s where the real storyline unfolds, and the film crafts a beautiful narrative around the Hendersons and their new inhabitant.

The creature, eventually named Harry by the family, isn't a threatening beast you would normally expect to see in movies, but a gentle, endearing, and precisely, a giant hairy friend who begins to weave himself into the very fabric of the Hendersons' life. Harry's childlike innocence, playful antics, fear of hunting, and love for the Hendersons' immediate environment create a delightful contrast to the classic monster archetype. It becomes quickly apparent that Harry means no harm. Instead, he displays human-like emotions that topic remarkably endearing sentiments, leading the audience to see the world from Harry's perspective.

The powerhouse actor John Lithgow delivers a convincingly heartfelt performance as George Henderson, a typical man whose life is overwhelmed by this unanticipated situation but eventually becomes a protector of Harry. Melinda Dillon portrays the loving Nancy Henderson, George's wife, who welcomes Harry with an open mind. Margaret Langrick completes the core family as Sarah Henderson, their wide-eyed and adaptable daughter. The ensemble of the cast gives a credible and relatable family feel to the whole situation, creating a storyline that keeps the audience glued to the screen.

While the film is exceptionally funny and family-focused, it still manages to touch on deeper themes. It deftly delves into the concept of environmentalism and the human tendency to exploit rare and unique beauties of nature for personal gain. Throughout the film, Harry, a representative of the forests' indigenous and peaceful lifeforms, suffers from the greed and selfishness of certain humans. This underlying theme resonates humbly, subtly nudging the audience to question their role in protecting the environment and preserving the many unique life forms inhabiting it.

Furthermore, the film brilliantly proves that understanding someone different from us requires a compassionate heart and an open mind. Harry and the Hendersons is more than just a movie about a family and a Sasquatch - it's a film about acceptance and the courage to safeguard those who cannot protect themselves.

Harry and the Hendersons is feel-good cinema at its best, using humor, empathy, and thought-provoking themes hand in hand. Between its lovable titular character and the heartwarming connection he forms with the Hendersons, audiences will find plenty to love and learn throughout the film's captivating narrative journey. Enjoy this beautifully crafted movie and allow yourself to plunge into a world mixed with laughter, emotion, thrill, and learn valuable life perspectives – all driven by a narrative highlighting an extraordinary friendship between an ordinary family and a Sasquatch named Harry.