Poole really tries hard to be a film about anything except "religion". The simple tale is told very quietly and very strongly. Here is just a man lost in the world, played with even more hangdog than usual by an excellent Luke Wilson, whose neighbor thinks she sees a manifestation in a plaster stain on Henry's wall.I don't remember the last time a film started so slowly and just grew and grew into something this good. The film blossoms without losing its fabulous sense of pace: slow, almost meditative, but never boring, this is essentially a character piece and each character has been workshopped beautifully - they have impact and weight because they simply are as natural as possible.This is one of those unique and sneaky films that should never work yet does and in spades. A terrific little movie that is what movies are all about: takes you on an unexpected journey that's well worth your time. Recommended.

Too bad some of the reviewers here and on Netflix couldn't get past the misnomer "comedy" enough to find the truly beautiful and uplifting aspects of this film. I did actually laugh in a few places, but at its core, this movie is an art film about hope, faith, the angst of human existence and the redeeming power of love. The editing, gorgeous photography and lush musical score were exquisite. I watched it for the second time with my wife, who said it's one of the best movies she's seen in a long time. Henry Poole is more inspirational than anything else. The comedy is not the main element. To anyone but a grumpy agnostic or die-hard atheist, it will bring a tear to your heart and soul. This is truly a movie for the family to see together. It does not have the sex and violence of much of today's Hollywood output. The cast was perfect in their roles. I rate this a 10/10.

Most people who want to believe in divine apparitions, spot iconic forms in the most incredible places. Their perception of what they find is based on the representation we all have been led to accept as the way those saintly individuals have been depicted in paintings dating from ancient times.This is exactly what a nosy neighbor, Esperanza, sees on a wall that had been recently painted in the backyard of Henry Poole, a depressed young man that is suffering from sadness and depression. Henry decided to buy a house near the one where he grew up. That place was not for sale, so Henry opted for the next best thing, a house in the same block. In flashbacks we get to know the root of his problems; he is afflicted by a rare disease that is terminal. While Henry awaits for his death, he decides to spend his time alone near the place where he was happy once.What Henry didn't bargained for was a neighbor like Esperanza. She stirs things up when she brings her church's pastor to take a look of that mysterious form believed to even drip blood. Henry couldn't care less about miracles, or supernatural things. The young woman next door, a single mother, begins to warm up to Henry. Her little girl Millie, goes around with a portable tape recording eavesdropping on her neighbor, who doesn't find it amusing, until he is told the girl doesn't speak because of the trauma caused by her deserting father who has gone away without explanation.Henry Poole has to reflect on his life and his death; he drinks a lot, something the friendly cashier, Patience, at the supermarket he shops, tells him. Patience shows up at Henry's backyard one day to see the famous image on the wall. Suddenly, she can see without using her thick glasses, something she thinks is a miracle. Something similar occurs to Millie. The little girl begins to speak without any logical explanation. Esperanza suggests him to ask for a miracle as she finds out what's wrong with him. Unfortunately, he has had it with people and he knocks the wall down.Mark Pellington directed this interesting film that questions how humans deals with matters of faith. The discovery of what is perceived to be sacred and what is just not so. It also deals with the way we cling to hope when a crisis, such as an illness, or a situation, that will be a test in one's faith. The screenplay is by Albert Torres.Luke Wilson, an actor that has played a lot of comedy in his career, shows a serious side of himself, no doubt guided by Mr. Pellington to give an outstanding performance as Henry, a man that finds himself at a crossroad in his life. The wonderful Adriana Barraza, who plays Esperanza, makes a tremendous contribution to our enjoyment of the film with her well intentioned, but gossipy neighbor. Rhada Mitchell does a fine job with her next door neighbor, Dawn. Also in the cast, Cheryl Hines, Richard Benjamin and the adorable Morgan Lilly."Henry Poole is Here" is a serious film that deserves a viewing because it will disarm even the skeptics.

...and as such it doesn't do much for me. It uses the old and tried recipe of the trial of faith story, where the nasty atheist and hater of all thing living is brought to love life and thus save himself. If only real life would work like that.I can just imagine some poor sap, dying of a terminal disease, watching this movie and laughing his behind off while crying at the same time. This kind of a film is what romantic movies are for real life love: a fairy tale, a beautiful lie that makes one (not terminally ill) feel better about oneself.The acting was top notch, I liked all that character interpretations, the soundtrack was full of Dylan and U2 (can't have faith without good music, after all) and, even if somewhat boring, it was a decent film.However, for me personally, it was annoying as hell. Having identified myself with the main character, I kept shouting at poor Luke Wilson: "Use some paint!", "call the police!", "break the damn wall!". If neighbours in the US are like that, no wonder some people become serial killers :)Bottom line: if you have faith, watch this movie. Faith that it would do something for you, I mean.