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Henry Fool (1997)

 -  Comedy | Drama  -  19 June 1998 (USA)
7.1
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Ratings: 7.1/10 from 4,747 users   Metascore: 68/100
Reviews: 83 user | 41 critic | 22 from Metacritic.com

Socially inept garbage man Simon is befriended by Henry Fool, a witty roguish, but talent-less novelist. Henry opens a magical world of literature to Simon who turns his hand to writing the... See full summary »

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Title: Henry Fool (1997)

Henry Fool (1997) on IMDb 7.1/10

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Thomas Jay Ryan ...
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Maria Porter ...
Mary
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Mr. Deng
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Warren
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Ned
Miho Nikaido ...
Gene Ruffini ...
Officer Buñuel
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Father Hawkes
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Amy
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Laura
Jan Leslie Harding ...
Vicky
Chaylee Worrall ...
Pearl (age 7)
...
Pearl - Age 14
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Storyline

Socially inept garbage man Simon is befriended by Henry Fool, a witty roguish, but talent-less novelist. Henry opens a magical world of literature to Simon who turns his hand to writing the 'great American poem'. As Simon begins his controversial ascent to the dizzying heights of Nobel Prize winning poet, Henry sinks to a life of drinking in low-life bars. The two friends fall out and lose touch until Henry's criminal past catches up with him and he needs Simon's help to flee the country. Written by Josh Mueller <jomuelle@mailbox.syr.edu>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Genres:

Comedy | Drama

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong sexuality, violence and language | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

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Release Date:

19 June 1998 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

As Confissões de Henry Fool  »

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$40,939 (USA) (19 June 1998)

Gross:

$1,334,786 (USA) (6 November 1998)
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Company Credits

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

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Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1
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Did You Know?

Quotes

[reading porn magazines]
Henry Fool: I learn so much from these magazines Mr. Dang, and I refuse to discriminate between modes of knowing.
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Crazy Credits

Grip Dog - Edie See more »

Connections

Followed by Fay Grim (2006) See more »

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User Reviews

Imperfect (of course) but extremely worthy
24 January 1999 | by (United States) – See all my reviews

I rented and watched "Henry Fool" last night and spent much of this evening tracking down reviews of this extraordinary film. I'm surprised that none of them invoked Dickens, or at least John Irving.

There's a constancy in Hartley films: beautiful photography, disciplined design, and (usually) extraordinarily attractive actors who mouth almost excruciatingly gassy dialogue in a deadpan style that seems to serve as ballast. "Henry Fool" is no different. But this film delves so deeply and sympathetically into the Big Issues -- love, obligation, and most of all ART -- that it delivers a wallop that reminds me of how I felt at the end of Irving's "Owen Meany". And I mean that as a high compliment.

"Henry Fool" is imperfect, at moments even ridiculous, but you just might be changed by it. Not bad for a movie.


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