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It's not what "Regarding Henry" has to offer its audience that makes it a disappointment; it's the lingering feeling that it's missing something that would bring it to the emotional level it so desperately deserves. Featuring a host of well-to-do performers giving their all in roles that would otherwise be Oscar nomination material, the movie pits Harrison Ford against himself as Henry Turner, the typical ruthless, heartless, soulless American attorney who makes his living off of the misery and downtrodden luck of others. He shares a distant relationship with his wife, Sarah (Annette Bening), and their discontented daughter, whom he berates constantly. The turning point of the film comes after Henry's run-in with an armed thief at a convenience store: he is shot, leaving him incapacitated and unable to remember anything about his life, including his motor functions and basic skills like telling the difference between a circle and a square, and talking. ***

As the movie progresses, we watch as Henry slowly makes his way back into the world, unsure of what his world once was, and timid about exploring that which lies ahead of him. The script by Jeffrey Abrams focuses more on the main character's emotional development and recovery, and misses turning the story into typical movie-of-the-week twaddle, if only just barely. The performances are solid, with terrific acting from both Ford and Bening as two people who must start all over with one another. They make the film better than it really has any right to be; strip it of its cast, and you've got nothing that wouldn't fit right at home on cable television.

Signs of age run rampant in the transfer for "Regarding Henry," which is an okay effort that could be better. For one thing, the source print is heavy on the film grain and a bit lite in terms of clarity: some edges appear a bit unfocused in places, though overall sharpness holds up well enough. Colors are nicely saturated, though they appear on the verge of bleeding here and there, and contrast is generally good, with shadow detail that is wanting in places. Overall the picture is pleasing, but it could use some improvements. ***

The sound is mastered in Dolby Digital 5.1, and while the material offers only a limited use of the soundfield, there are times when the track can be rather impressive. The atmospheric sounds of the big city bring the surrounds to life now and then, while the score also sounds pretty decent as far as ambiance is concerned. Dialogue sounds natural, and stereo separation is pleasing.