The film is about the true story of Austin LeRette (Laval), a disabled boy who has brittle bone disease and autism. His father Scott (Levi) always does his best to keep Austin happy.
This film provides examples of the following tropes:
- Abusive Parents: During an argument with Scott over his drinking problem, Teresa's description about the relationship with her parents explicitly reveals that it was a bad one as her own father was an alcoholic himself, and her mother just sat and watched how he ended up destroying himself adding that "I know how it ends". Another argument has Teresa telling Scott to stop yelling at her as he sounds a lot like her father.
- Adaptational Angst Upgrade: The incident that starts the third act, Scott driving his kids home blackout drunk and crashing the car into a tree in front of their house, is much worse and more traumatic than it is in the book/real life. In real life, while Scott did drive drunk with his kids in the car, they actually made it home completely fine. The crash was an invention of the film.
- The Bully: A bully steals the skateboard of Austin's brother Logan and acts as if it was his own. Said brother has a black eye afterwards.
- Dark and Troubled Past: Poor Teresa. Her father was an alcoholic, her mother did nothing to stop him...and she's been divorced twice!
- Get Out!: Teresa wakes up Scott with a bucket of cold water and furiously orders him to leave her house after his drunk driving that nearly endangered their kids becomes the last straw for her. They do, however, reconcile.
- Good Parents: Several moments show that Scott deeply cares about Austin and wants to do the best he can to make him happy. Likewise, Scott compliments his wife Teresa in that direction.
- Hypocrite: When Joe brings up Teresa's scolding at Scott for his alcohol addiction, he states it's not the same and defends himself pointing out that Teresa playing "those stupid videogames" is a real addiction.
- Inspirationally Disadvantaged: Scott says that kids around Austin (who's autistic and has brittle bone disease) learn from him, and he also enjoys every day in his son's presence.
- My God, What Have I Done?: After spending a lot of time smugly dismissing his drinking problem and flat-out telling Teresa and Joe to stay out of it, Scott is immediately struck by guilt and remorse when he wakes up the next morning to think his kids got hurt, before Teresa says otherwise and orders him to get out while Scott tearfully apologizes.
- Never Trust a Title: The movie's title and marketing would make one think that Austin is the main character. However, he's more like a supporting player while his father Scott is more the real protagonist.
- Sexy Jester: Austin pretends that "chicks dig" his jester hat.
- Speech Impediment: Austin has dyslalia (pronounces a lot of things starting with "shhh") when speaking.
- This Is My Story: Austin introduces himself and his physical and mental disabilities in the trailer.