Henry Poole Is Here (2008)

Henry Poole moves in to a house in his old neighborhood, to spend what he believes are his remaining days alone. The discovery of a "miracle" by a nosy neighbor ruptures his solitude and restores his faith in life.

Director:

Mark Pellington

Writer:

Albert Torres

Stars:

Luke Wilson, Radha Mitchell, Adriana Barraza

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Luke Wilson	...	Henry Poole
Radha Mitchell	...	Dawn Stupek
Adriana Barraza	...	Esperanza Martinez
George Lopez	...	Father Salazar
Cheryl Hines	...	Meg Wyatt
Richard Benjamin	...	Dr. Fancher
Morgan Lily	...	Millie Stupek
Rachel Seiferth	...	Patience
Beth Grant	...	Josie
Dan Callahan	...	Hospital Young Doctor
Earl Carroll	...	Mr. Lawrence
Noah Dahl	...	Young Henry
Gloria Garayua	...	Female Worshipper
Molly Hagan	...	Pediatrician
Michelle Krusiec	...	Young Nurse

Storyline

In a working class neighborhood in Los Angeles, a world weary Henry Poole buys a house, caring little about its lack of amenities. He drinks and eats pizza. Recent stucco work has left a brown stain in a patio wall, and, to Henry's irritation, Esperanza, a neighbor, is certain she can see the face of Jesus in the stain. She brings her priest, then others. Meanwhile, Henry hears his conversations replayed over the fence in another neighbor's yard: it's Millie, about 7, mute, clutching a tape recorder. He tells Millie's mom why he's sad and angry. The face on the wall seems to shed a tear of blood. Is Henry beyond feeling any emotion?

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Plot Keywords:

neighbor | stain | house | neighborhood | priest | 

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Taglines:

Changing his attitude will take a miracle.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic elements and some language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

29 August 2008 (South Africa)

Also Known As:

El milagro de Henry Poole

Filming Locations:

La Habra, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$805,219 (USA) (15 August 2008)

Gross:

$1,835,293 (USA) (17 October 2008)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Overture Films, Lakeshore Entertainment, Camelot Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

About half way through the movie, Henry walks into the backyard with a drink in his hand which he spills to about 1/4 beverage left in the glass. In the next scene, while he is still in the backyard, his glass is now 3/4 full again.

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Quotes

Henry Poole: Hope doesn't save lives.

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Connections

Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Episode dated 16 August 2008 (2008)

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Soundtracks

"On an Ocean"
Written and Performed by Lisa Gerrard and Jeff Rona
Courtesy of Wide Blue Sky

User Reviews

I believe in "Henry Poole Is Here."

On a marque crammed with tired summer offerings of over-the-top comedies and action films, I spotted the sweet, small film, "Henry Poole is Here." Like a name sprawled under an aqueduct bridge, it was barely noticeable.

"Henry Poole is Here" is a quiet little film with a big premise. What do you do when you're an atheist and you learn you have six weeks to live? If you're Henry Poole, (Luke Wilson), you buy a house in a neighborhood where nobody knows you, numb yourself with booze, and wait around to die - alone. Henry's plan to fade away unnoticed is disrupted when his neighbor, Esperanza, (Adrianna Barrazza) starts worshiping a water-stained image of Christ she sees on his stucco wall.

To make matters worse, Esperanza is moved to share this miracle with her church and friends. A silent little girl tape records Henry's pleas to be left alone. But Henry never gets his wish. The little girl and her luminescent mother (Radha Mitchell) enter his life to show him that we are all here for a reason. In fact, the whole neighborhood is there for him - whether he likes it or not.

The director, Mark Pellington, leaves it for us to decide whether we believe it's a miracle or not. At first, we don't even get to see what Esperanza is looking at. Later, we see the stain, but the face is kind of illusive - sometimes it's there, sometimes it's not. The film doesn't tell you what to believe. But it shows the strength in believing and especially our belief in others.

Hopefully, this film doesn't fade away unnoticed amidst the jungle of summer releases. Hopefully, it finds a community that believes in it. This is a movie about hope, after all. I, for one, believe.

Movie blessings! Jana Segal reelinspiration dot blogspot dot com