Henry Poole is Here Movie Review

MOVIE REVIEW: HENRY POOLE IS HERE

08/14/08

SYNOPSIS: Luke Wilson (The Royal Tenenbaums, Old School), Academy Award® nominee Adriana Barraza (Babel) and Radha Mitchell (Finding Neverland) star in a modern day fable about the unexpected wonders of the everyday from director Mark Pellington (U2 3D, The Mothman Prophesies). Henry Poole is Here tells the funny, poignant and uplifting story of a disillusioned man who attempts to hide from life in a rundown suburban tract home only to discover he cannot escape the forces of hope.

REVIEW: Provocative, moving, deep, and real. I thought we were still in the summer movie season. These kinds of reactions don’t usually occur during this season. This film caught me by surprise and it was incredible. It covers a vast amount of emotions and takes you along for the ride; depression, indifference, fear, denial, and skepticism. Don’t fret because there is also happiness, love, hope, faith, and purpose. Speaking of faith and speaking bluntly, if you are religious person, especially Christian as I am, you will enjoy this movie thoroughly. If you are not, this movie might turn you off. I say this based on my own reaction and the reaction of others around me after the movie. There is a strong message of faith, among many others, that will move you. The last time I was moved this way was while watching Passion of the Christ.

Krispy Kreme doughnuts, chocolate chip cookies, and alcohol are Henry Poole’s (Luke Wilson) way of dealing with life and depression. This could arguably be his best performance ever. His look of a man who has given up on life was penetrating. Rachel Seiferth plays the role of the appropriately named character, Patience. She was genuine and heart-warming as this simple supermarket cashier. One of her lines in the movie is that sometimes it’s okay to be sad because it helps remind us that we are still alive. That may be true but I would add that the people around you that truly care about you can also make you feel alive. This film exemplifies that fact. Another stirring performance was that of Adriana Barraza who played the role of another appropriately named character, Esperanza, which in Spanish means hope. She is the nosy yet caring and very religious next door neighbor. Radha Mitchell superbly plays Dawn, the other next door neighbor, which brings a new hope to Henry. Her daughter Millie, played by Morgan Lily doesn’t speak a whole lot but her performance was as powerful as any of these others actors. One look from her huge blue eyes would cut straight through to your heart. I was impressed with all these performances and even George Lopez was impressive with a more serious role as Father Salazar.

The characters presented in this film are basically your average folk. What makes them special is how each of them has their own mini-storyline full of pain and yet they remain upbeat and hopeful, except for Henry of course which is probably why it was no accident that he found himself surrounded by them. The dialogue couldn’t be more appropriate for the setting and the situations. It was clear, concise and not overdone. Writer Albert Torres successfully gets the message across. The cinematography also helped get the message across with excellent camera angles, points of view, and close-ups. It accentuates the emotion of the film. Director Mark Pellington (Arlington Road, Mothman Prophecies) really took a risk with this project and I for one am glad he did. Sure the underlying premise is a little cheesy and controversial (Godly apparitions in very unlikely places) but the real theme is of something greater than apparitions and that is having some faith; faith in life, faith in love, faith in humanity, and/or faith in God. Before going to see this movie, ask yourself the following question: do you believe in miracles?