Hollywood delivers so few movies with spiritual themes that complaints about its godlessness can seem justified. Then along comes Henry Poole is Here, proving that some filmmakers have the spirit but don’t always know what to do with it.
Henry Poole (Luke Wilson in somnambulist mode) obviously needs some kind of uplift. Depressed about a terminal diagnosis, he buys a depressing home in the neighborhood where he grew up as a depressed child, planning to live his final days in a depressed, drunken funk. Even Job would consider this guy as a drag.
Then what may be a miracle happens. A water stain on a fresh stucco wall is seen by neighbors as an image of Jesus, especially Esperanza (Adriana Barraza, Babel) who hustles to tell her priest (George Lopez). Soon, Henry’s wall is a makeshift temple with candles, flowers and prayers. Henry doesn’t buy it, turning surly about the intrusions.
His next-door neighbor (Rahda Mitchell) has a daughter (Morgan Lily) who hasn’t spoken since her father deserted them. You can guess what happens. A friendly grocery clerk (Rachel Seiferth) is borderline blind. Again, you can guess what happens. Director Mark Pellington, who typically makes thrillers like Arlington Road and The Mothman Prophecies, struggles to make the obvious interesting and usually can’t.
Henry Poole is Here is squarely aimed at the bible bunch, who’ll be more tolerant of its oversimplification of theological mystery. They’ll see Henry as a lost soul resisting Christian power until that becomes impossible, and sing praises when it does. But that doesn’t change the fact that Pellington’s movie is draggy-dull and a bit annoying with its piety. Hollywood still does sin much better than salvation.
Steve Persall is the movie critic for the St. Petersburg Times. He was conceived behind a drive-in movie theater his father operated and raised in projection booths and concession stands. He doesn't care how you did it up north.
Sir, I challenge you to prove your accusation of plagiarism. I also challenge you to present a ticket stub for Henry Poole is Here, proving that you have a valid position from which to dispute my opinion in such fashion.
The distributor and several other critics know I was at last week's HPIH screening, so any suggestion otherwise is laughable.
Then I ask you to explain the Stiller comment, after I've taken Tropic Thunder to task on this blog, in print and on TV for his insulting view of mentally challenged people.
Thou shalt not, I'm guessing.
Which reminds me...
THE 9th COMMANDMENT
Exodus 20:16 "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour."
Posted by: Steve Persall | August 18, 2008 at 08:37 AM
Next time you write a review it would be a good idea to actually WATCH THE MOVIE IN PERSON>
Pretty obvious that your review was taken from other real reviews and then you merely added your own personal disdainful comments and your antagonist viewpoint regarding any hint of religious belief.
Go watch Ben Stiller make fun of mentally handicapped people. I'm certain that you will go for that...
Posted by: Martin Gerchen | August 17, 2008 at 05:14 PM