Movie Review: Henry Poole Is Here

This is an interesting film. When I look back on my going in to see said movie, I have to say that I went in completely unprepared. I had seen the trailer, or rather, I thought I had seen the trailer. As it turns out, I only watched the trailer, failing to observe and absorb some important details. In the end, it is probably for the best, allowing for a more fulfilling, I guess is the right word, experience. When I "watched" the trailer, the impression I got was that it was an indie comedy that offered a subtle experience, and while I was not all together off target, I was not prepared for the more spiritual and dramatic qualities of the film. Watching the trailer again now, I do not know how I could have missed that.

As the film opens, we are introduced to Henry Poole (Luke Wilson). Henry is moving into a new neighborhood, going so far as to buy his house at list, not haggling, nothing. He has given up on life and seeks to spend his time alone, fueled by vodka and frozen pizza. As fate would have it, he is not going to be allowed to have anything so easy. On one side he has the talky Esperanza (Adriana Barraza) and on the other is the attractive divorcee, Dawn (Radha Mitchell), and her quirky daughter, Millie. This doesn't even touch on the nearly blind clerk, Patience, at the grocery store who offers Henry advice on whatever may be troubling him.

At first, Henry does a good job of fending off the advances of the neighbors. He comes across as abrasive, annoyed, and just a rather surly individual. Then fate steps in. One morning he spies Esperanza snooping around outside his window. Henry investigates and finds that she has found a stain in the stucco that appears to be the face of Jesus. Is it? Well, it could definitely be interpreted that way, says Father Salazar (George Lopez). More problems arise when "miracles" actually occur, further complicating the situation.

On the surface, the story is rather simple. A man who has lost hope seeks to retreat from the world only to find hope has not given up on him, bringing him an offer of faith. How will it end? Will he have a spiritual awakening? Will faith find him? Well, that would be telling.

What really struck me about Henry Poole Is Here is the amazing amount of heart and rampant spirituality. This movie is very spiritually oriented. This film is about being open to spirituality, about having faith, if not religion. I fear that this film may ultimately be labeled a religious one, but that would not be terribly accurate. Yes, there is a distinct, undeniable religious presence, but it is not about that. This movie is about finding hope where there was none and allowing for the presence of spirituality.

Henry Poole Is Here is nothing like what I expected. It is a quiet, subtle film that plays by its own rules and does not succumb to outside influences. Is it great? No, not really, but it is sweet, touching, and files a void. This is a film that is open about faith without wielding it like a sledgehammer.

The performances are a big reason why this movie works. Luke Wilson holds your attention. He has a quiet way about creating the bristly Poole that just feels genuine. As good as Wilson is, it is Adriana Barraza's Esperanza that really holds the movie together. She is so steadfast in her belief that it is hard not to be won over by her and her insistence of belief. A special mention must also be made for young Morgan Lily as Millie, she is quiet throughout and completely engaging in her quirks.

Mark Pellington does a fine job of keeping this quiet film on track. He is a director who has made his name in music videos and thrillers like Arlington Road and The Mothman Prophecies taking a turn into a quieter film. I have read that the making of this film was a cathartic experience for him, having lost is wife just a few years ago. He found he connected with this screenplay by Albert Torres. It is clear that this is a personal film. I cannot say that I identified with the lead role, but I did connect with the spiritual message.

Bottomline. This is a movie to watch, become involved in, and just absorb. I liked this film, although I was not sure what to make of it early on. Since it was not what I expected, it took a little longer to find my way in, but once I was there, I found a special film. This is definitely a film to spend a little time with.

Recommended.