Review: Henry Poole is Here (2008)

[Steve Rhodes]

HENRY POOLE IS HERE
A film review by Steve Rhodes
Copyright 2008 Steve Rhodes

RATING (0 TO ****):  **

HENRY POOLE IS HERE is admittedly better than the previous stinkers by 
director Mark Pellington (THE MOTHMAN PROPHECIES and ARLINGTON ROAD), but 
that isn't saying much.  Perhaps a better compliment for HENRY POOLE IS HERE 
is that it's a harmless little film based on a slender premise -- a cynic 
discovers a water stain on his house that others believe provides healing 
powers.  It's a one-idea movie, and first-time screenwriter Albert Torres 
isn't able to find much to do with the plot other than continue to restate 
the obvious.  Henry Poole (Luke Wilson) doesn't have any faith, while all 
those around him wear their religious leanings on their sleeves.

Marketed as "an inspirational story about discovering the healing power of 
hope," the movie has a theme rather like the current political one of "hope 
you can believe in." Well, I'm here to tell you that this hope is full of 
audacity but not much veracity.  People line up around Henry Poole's house, 
claiming that his slapdash paint job has miraculously revealed the face of 
god on the side of his small stucco home.  I'm betting you will not be able 
to see much of anything other than an ugly smudge.

When we first meet Henry, he is trying to purchase the house he grew up in. 
Since the current owner refuses to sell, he buys the nearest house instead, 
paying full price even though his real estate agent tells his she could 
easily get it for ten percent less.  Henry will likely remind you of Nicolas 
Cage's character in LEAVING LAS VEGAS.  Henry appears to be a drunk who has 
gone someplace to drink himself to death.  Reinforcing this is Henry's 
claim, made between his ever-present drinks, that he won't be there long. 
Although the neighbors may take the "there" to mean in his new house, it 
more likely means he plans on dying soon.

The irony is that the house Henry purchased was last occupied by a guy who 
died of a heart attack and who was found by his girlfriend, Esperanza 
(Adriana Barraza).  She is also the one who interprets the stain on Henry's 
wall as the face of God.  She soon has her priest and members of her church 
trooping through Henry's backyard, unannounced and uninvited.

The story also features a 6-year-old girl next door (Millie Stupek) who has 
not spoken in over a year and a grocery store clerk named Patience (Rachel 
Seiferth) who can barely see through her coke bottle thick glasses.  Any 
guess on how their afflictions might change as the story progresses?  Yep, 
you guessed it.  Ugh.

Prepare to gag.

HENRY POOLE IS HERE runs 1:39.  It is rated PG-13 for "thematic elements and 
some language" and would be acceptable for all ages.

The film opens in limited release in the United States on Friday, August 15, 
2008.  In the Silicon Valley, it will be showing at the AMC theaters, the 
Century theaters and the Camera Cinemas.

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