Henry Poole is HereMovie Reviews

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Review This Movie

So-so Based on 1,982 reviews
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Written August 15, 2008
THOUGHT-PROVOKING.

by MOVIES REVIEWER

I'm thankful to be able to attend the press screening of this character-driven emotional dark drama/comedy with a simple plot yet filled with thought-provoking thematic elements examining life and death, faith(and the lack of it), loneliness/alienation, depression, anger, hope...

Director Mark Pellington shot the scenes in 'Henry Poole' beautifully with accompanying music that strikes the appropriate emotional chords. The editing by Lisa Churgin was a seamless expert effort.

Luke Wilson appropriately cast as Henry Poole - displayed his versatile acting talents in this leading role. The rest of the ensemble performed admirably especially Adriana Barraza as his meddling neighbor Esperanza; George Lopez as Father Salazar; the evocative Morgan Lily as Millie; dewy Radha Mitchell as Dawn; talented Rachel Seiferth as Patience; and Cheryl Hines as Meg.

Recommendation: Go see it! But skip this movie if you prefer mindless badly-scripted junk like Mummy 3.

GRADE: SOLID B
- 25 out of 34 found this review helpful.
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Written August 17, 2008
A Thought-Provoking, Interesting Date Movie

by TravisMcFee

This is what I like to call a "big boy" movie. No car chases. No explosions. No witty repartee or snappy comebacks. It's a movie with a plot, and characters, and things to think about. Perhaps most importantly (and most surprisingly), it's a Hollywood movie that focuses on the value of faith, and believing in the proverbial "higher power" and why it is so difficult to do so in this cynical world of ours.

The acting is fine (although Luke Wilson is just a little too "Johnny One Note" for me, in that his emotional range was between 1 and 1.2 on a scale of 10), and the story line believable. It's a nice movie for two grown-ups to go see, enjoy, and talk about afterwards, and it leaves you to answer for yourself "what would you do?"

To borrow a cliche, this movie will make you laugh, and cry, and laugh again, and I found it satisfying, enjoyable, and worth the price of admission AND popcorn.
- 12 out of 13 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written August 22, 2008
deep and touching if you let it be

by juliejetset

I went and saw "Henry Poole Is Here" tonight by myself. it was the perfect movie for me to see at the perfect time. its supposed to be a dark comedy, but it touched me on several levels.

i suggest going to see it BEFORE you read reviews or look at trailers. i liked not knowing what was going to come. i went because I saw Luke Wilson on a talk show and I happen to adore him. go see it.. you will delight in the persistence and love of the little neighbor lady Esperanza, you will giggle at the silly parts..possibly roll your eyes at the quirky parts.... but there is something very deep about this movie for those of us who struggle with the concepts of faith, feel deeply and are touched by hopelessness and loneliness.
- 9 out of 10 found this review helpful.
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Written August 16, 2008
VERY TOUCHING AND AFFECTING

by dsilverman622

I am at a loss to understand all the terrible fan reviews above. I enjoyed the movie, as did the people watching it with me. I found it very touching, and many of us in the audience were tearful. I highly recommend it to people who like tear jerkers.
- 9 out of 10 found this review helpful.
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Written August 17, 2008
Henry Poole Is Here

by tomj8

This is a well acted and entertaining movie offering nostalgia, humor and even a hint of romance and features some good individual performances. Especially for younger viewers, it may tend to be slow in spots and even flirt with over-working a point, but in general it's free of most of the stereo typical gimmics except a couple of instances of unnecessary token language, no doubt thrown in to avoid the dreaded "G" rating, and predictable excesses in the size and exuberance of crowds, etc. My personal preference would have been a bit more time up front developing the story line and a little less dwelling on the current state of mind of the main character but in fairness that criticism wasn't shared by others who viewed the film with me. Although the music was good, the experience overall would probably have been enhanced with a little more musical emphasiis. You'll spend time trying to figure out what Henry Poole is really about, so I'd recommend it to those who like character studies.
- 10 out of 12 found this review helpful.
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Written September 3, 2008
Not your typical Hollywood Movie

by maggieatthemovies

This movie tells a unique story. The characters were refreshing with real human feelings and beliefs. Luke Wilson & George Lopez did a great job along with the three ladies in supporting roles. A nice change of pace compared to other movies with violence, drugs & profanity. I wish there were more movies of this type.
- 12 out of 17 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written August 18, 2008
Christian Message

by MWF51

A total of 6 people watched this movie at a 9:10p Saturday Night show. Why a movie like this is swept under the carpet and terrible movies like step brothers are given great advertising, I'll never understand.
The acting was fantastic, and well worth the money and time. If you're tired of stupid humor, sex and gay subject matter, see this movie.
- 9 out of 11 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written August 31, 2008
A must see !!!

by txcatlover

I loved this movie. A great movie about faith and hope. Touching and funny. Luke Wilson and all of the cast were fabulous. I highly recommend this movie. It was a very pleasant surprise. My husband and I both enjoyed it. We will being adding it to our dvd collection as soon as it is released. Go see it.
- 10 out of 13 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written August 16, 2008
surprise

by lukestensland

It was a surprise. A great anecdote to all the darkness, violence, hipsterish, nihilistic, ironic garbage out there.
- 6 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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Written August 16, 2008
A Great Dark Comedy

by stormy waters

This was a very good move, that was inspirational, funny, sad, touching, and it made you feel good towards the end. Even though this movie was slow, it's a great movie that you have to go and see, because my first judgement on this movie wasn't good, but i saw myself enjoy this movie very much so. I hope at least some people go watch this movie, because this is a nice feel-good movie.
- 16 out of 27 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written August 31, 2008
Henry Poole is Here

by rljhubbard

I really liked this movie, it's thought provoking. It makes you question your own faith and how you look at hope, and what you would be like in Henry's situation. My husband and I talked for hours about this movie after we went to it, and we want to go to it again. Two thumbs up!
- 6 out of 7 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written August 19, 2008
Belief

by Kireyn101

If you or anyone that you really know, would like to see a great feel good movie then this is the movie for you, cause after seeing this movie I felt better about my self, my faith, and my belief in the unbeliveable.
- 5 out of 5 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written August 25, 2008
A thoughtful journey

by kathymovies

This movie was amazing. The previews advertise this movie as a religious movie and it is not. It is about one man's journey from sucessful to dying to being reborn. Not reborn in Christ but reborn in life. This movie is not difficult to follow nor is it a psychological thriller. It is a simple movie with a simple message. There is no violence, no blood, guts and gore, no sex, no excessive swear words, it is a movie that will make you think and will make you feel good. I found myself rooting for the main character and crying at the same time. This movie is definately a chick-flick and I belive it would be lost on most men. This movie is not for young children. Do not let this movie go. I will definately add it to my collection when it comes out on DVD. This movie is listed as a comedy. It is not a comedy. There are some parts where I giggled but it is not a comedy. It is a movie that you will walk out of the theatre and go WOW! Enjoy.
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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Written August 21, 2008
TearJerker

by Eclectic Movie Taste

This movie is a true tear-jerker for when we need a really good cry. I think this is the most dramatic I have ever seen Luke Wilson. For true believers this movie will strengthen the faith they hold on to and for non-believers they may just start to question this non-belief. I cried and this movie makes you think!
- 5 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written August 19, 2008
The best movie I have seen this year

by meanmark1

My wife and I went to the movies Saturday night as part of our anniversary celebration. Despite being skewered by the mainstream media, we went to see "Henry Poole is Here" based on a very positive review on Catholic.org.

I won?t give any of the plot away, but it is funny and touching and, ultimately, filled with hope. It is rated PG; there is mild bad language and some unglamorous alcohol abuse in the film. I would have no problem with my 9 year old seeing this movie.

Three days later, I?m still thinking about it. I have recommended it to all our friends and even our priest.
- 5 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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