<!– {rw_text}
Henry Poole abandons his fiancée and family business to spend what he believes are his remaining days alone. The discovery of a “miracle” by a nosy neighbor ruptures his solitude.
{/rw_text} –>
OPENS: AUgust 15, 2008
RATING: PG (Adult themes, Language)
GENRE: Christian Fantasy, Dark Comedy, Independent Film
Ever wonder about the lives of those who find an image of the Virgin Mary on a grilled cheese sandwich or Jesus in the wood grain of a door?
Henry Poole is Here is a film that delves into that phenomenon and along the way explores the concept faith and the possibility of miracles in modern suburbia.
Among mainstream critics, this little independent film is either hated or viewed as a Hollywood oddity.
Among negative reviews, are the script, which is seen as a little too saccharine for good taste and hamfisted in it approach to doubting Thomases of the world.
The positive reviews describe this as a touching film of faith and redemption starring an able and talented cast, noting that at least the faithful will likely flock to this modern suburban faith-based fantasy.
WATCH THE TRAILER
<!– {rw_good}
- Good acting
- Touching philosophical message
{/rw_good} –>
<!– {rw_bad}
- Script may be a little “too earnest” for some
- Some may be put off by its religious overtones
{/rw_bad} –>
<!– {rw_score}
{for="Newsday" value="6"}
"For a mildly quirky comedy-drama, Henry Poole Is Here has some surprising philosophical heft. Between the conventional romance and the requisite subplot involving a Child Who Needs a Father (Morgan Lily, all dinner-plate eyes) come questions of faith, hope and hopelessness.” – Rafer Guzman
{/for}
{for=”San Francisco Chronicle” value=”7″}
“Perhaps salvation can be found on a cracked stucco wall in the middle of Southern California, perhaps not. But the film’s point – that we will all keep looking – is well taken.” – Mark Pellington
{/for}
{for=”San Diego Union-Tribune” value=”7″}
“An act of faith, a story about religion that neither pontificates nor proselytizes. ” – Lee Grant
{/for}
{for=”Boston Globe” value=”4″}
“Henry Poole Is Here is far from evangelical, though: It’s a gently spiritual inquiry aimed at doubters. Such things are not unwelcome, especially coming from Hollywood. They just need to be a lot better made than this one is.” – Ty Burr
{/for}
{for=”New York Times” value=”4″}
“Insufferable hokum that takes itself very, very seriously.” – Stephen Holden
{/for}
{for=”USA Today” value=”6″}
“Often affecting, occasionally vacuous. But it does tackle material that Hollywood has shied away from: the nature of faith and the existence of miracles.” – Claudia Puig
{/for}
{for=”Los Angeles Times” value=”5″}
“Achingly sincere faith tale — leavened somewhat by occasional quirks of humor early on — but the dearth of honest characterization in Albert Torres’ script lends the whole exercise a shallow impatience with the storm before the calm.” – Robert Abele
{/for}
{/rw_score} –>