Henry Poole Is Here
User Score
7.4 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 20 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 20
  3. Negative: 1 out of 20

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  1. Biggs_ZA
    Apr 30, 2012
    6
    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 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.… Collapse
  2. MovieFail
    Aug 17, 2010
    6
    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
  3. GuptaA
    Aug 17, 2008
    0
    Painful to watch. Just painful!
  4. ChadS.
    Aug 15, 2008
    7
    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
  5. ChristiM.
    Aug 15, 2008
    8
    Very poignant and touching movie about hope and the power of love.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
44 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 25 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 25
  3. Negative: 5 out of 25
  1. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Kirk Honeycutt
    70
    The biggest hole in this picture is not so much whether an audience will buy its miracles but whether an audience will care about Henry Poole. Wilson hits the same notes in virtually every scene without any change to his physical rhythms or moods.
  2. Variety
    Reviewed by: Robert Koehler
    50
    Picture's tendency to lecture on the power of faith and religion and on the demerits of science seems to assume an almost childlike audience that needs to be spoon-fed Pablum.
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  3. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: Tim Grierson
    50
    A film that could have used some of the genuine intrigue of Pellington's thrillers to help offset the increasingly doe-eyed narrative.
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