Henry Poole Is Here

Name: Henry Poole Is Here
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Released: August 15, 2008
Duration: 99 min
Rating: 44
Cast: George Lopez, Luke Wilson

2008

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Mixed or average reviews based on 25 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 22 Ratings

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7.0	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 22 Ratings

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Henry Poole Is Here

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Movie Details & Credits

Overture Films | Release Date: August 15, 2008 | PG

Starring: George Lopez, Luke Wilson

Summary: A disillusioned man goes into hiding in placid suburbia only to discover he cannot escape the forces of hope. (Overture Films)

Director: Mark Pellington

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy

Rating: PG

Runtime: 99 min

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Critic Reviews

Roger Ebert

Achieves something that is uncommonly difficult. It is a spiritual movie with the power to emotionally touch believers, agnostics and atheists -- in that descending order, I suspect. Read full review

Lawrence Toppman

If inciting boredom is the worst sin a filmmaker can commit, being timid is right behind it. Whether I agree with your point of view or not, I want to hear it. Read full review

Michael Sragow

To Pellington's credit, the performers eschew sentimentality. Read full review

Owen Gleiberman

It's less a tale of religious rebirth than a faith-based Hallmark card. Read full review

Claudia Puig

The film has some amusing moments and can be intriguing when it focuses on the slow transformation of a hopeless, faithless man. Read full review

Robert Abele

Though not strictly a religious tract, Henry Poole Is Here is undeniably selling spiritual reawakening. If only its makers believed that aesthetically useful adage: God is in the details. Read full review

Ty Burr

Manages a fairly rare trick: It's a movie that's both deeply felt and completely phony. Read full review

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User Reviews

ChristiM.

Aug 15, 2008

Very poignant and touching movie about hope and the power of love.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

ChadS.

Aug 15, 2008

Some would argue that BYU athletics enjoy a competitive advantage when the NCAA sanctions the religious prerogative of these Cougar jocks to take two-year missions for the Mormon church. Upon returning from their athletic sabbatical, Provo's opponents face a bigger, stronger, and older Some would argue that BYU athletics enjoy a competitive advantage when the NCAA sanctions the religious prerogative of these Cougar jocks to take two-year missions for the Mormon church. Upon returning from their athletic sabbatical, Provo's opponents face a bigger, stronger, and older adversary; the byproduct of entitlement that allows pious folks to operate under different rules without penalty. As it stands, Henry Poole(Luke Wilson) is quite miffed about this loophole. Trespassing means something else entirely, stripped of its unlawful reputation, if you believe in God like Esperenza(Adriana Barranza), who trespasses in her neighbor's yard because it's God's yard now. God's cashier, a girl named Patience(Rachel Seferth) quotes philosopher/activist Noam Chomsky, who said that "we choose to believe what we want to believe," which perfectly encapsulates the filmmaker's objectivity towards religious expression. "Henry Poole is Here" is a Christian movie, but only if you choose to construe the fortunate circumstances that befall the film's characters as bonafide miracles. Henry is never converted, nor does "Henry Poole is Here" try to convert the audience. This even-handed film also makes the point that all alleged miracles can be logically explained away.… Expand

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MovieFail

Aug 17, 2010

Luke Wilson gives it his best shot in this altogether middling film in the indy genre. The first half of the movie implies a fascinating history and character development for Mr. Poole, a dejected, dying man in the final throes of life. His interactions with (ultimately minor, unfortunately)Luke Wilson gives it his best shot in this altogether middling film in the indy genre. The first half of the movie implies a fascinating history and character development for Mr. Poole, a dejected, dying man in the final throes of life. His interactions with (ultimately minor, unfortunately) characters such as the supermarket cashier give insight to his life, and intimate to the audience that there is hope that maybe Henry Poole will have some redeeming qualities beneath his rough exterior. Dismayingly, the film does nothing to follow through with the promise of its strong start. Instead of being a fascinating character study, the film takes a decidedly Hollywood approach to Mr. Poole's troubles. After finding a stain in the shape of the Virgin Mary on the wall of his house, the entire neighborhood, comprised largely of stereotypical Hispanic Catholics, come to pray and turn his house into a religious destination site. This is of course troubles Poole, who only wants to be left alone. This turn of plot, and the introduction of a religious element, marks the downfall of this film. As beautiful as the concept of a magical religious figure appearing and saving everyone is, this idea works only in theory. The movie plays out essentially a deus ex machina-style scenario to conclude the film, something which does not fit the tone of the first half at all. If we never got a chance to really learn about this character, then why would we accept that he deserves this massive salvation? Overall, this movie plods along and doesn't go really anywhere, despite a good first impression. It is unfortunate, because I could see how, without the cheesy religious aspect that made it feel so artificial, this movie could have been an excellent little flick- not to mention showcase for Luke Wilson, who, as per usual, manages to deliver a great performance in spite of the story. Verdict: Movie Meh… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Biggs_ZA

Apr 30, 2012

What a sweet movie. It is in no ways a complex film; thus don't watch it to stimulate your movie critic side. This is a film about hope - not nearly as intense as The Shawshank Redemption (and shouldn't even be compared). This is a movie about hope in a modern context and subtly touchesWhat a sweet movie. It is in no ways a complex film; thus don't watch it to stimulate your movie critic side. This is a film about hope - not nearly as intense as The Shawshank Redemption (and shouldn't even be compared). This is a movie about hope in a modern context and subtly touches things we have become stubborn to admit or talk about. It also touches our possessiveness over privacy and the alienation to our immediate surroundings and pain of our communities.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

GuptaA

Aug 17, 2008

Painful to watch. Just painful!

0 of 0 users found this helpful

jake38

Sep 16, 2014

One of the single worst movies I've seen in my life. The acting, while decent, is nothing compared to the garbage script. I honestly like catholic movies, courageous is one of my favorites, but this movie just shoves Catholicism down your throat and tries to make feel sorry for a cast ofOne of the single worst movies I've seen in my life. The acting, while decent, is nothing compared to the garbage script. I honestly like catholic movies, courageous is one of my favorites, but this movie just shoves Catholicism down your throat and tries to make feel sorry for a cast of completely unlivable characters. It is pure garbage, do not watch it.… Expand

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