Very interesting film. Was caught on the premise when seeing the trailer but unsure as to what the outcome would be for the showing. As it turns out, it was a very good film.

Blistering performances.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties.

This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

Did not like the constant close ups, the main and secondary plots, or the characters. Only watched because it was classified PG comedy and liked other Luke Wilson's performances.

It seems like there's almost a rule that "indies" must depict sadness and despair. I guess it's considered "chic" in creative circles. This one takes that path, but redeems itself with a couple of sunny, hopeful characters, and a happy ending. There's only so many frames you can bear seeing some morose character experience their depression. This one goes overboard for a while, and manipulates you with a musical sequence. But don't despair.It's a sweet picture that won't gouge your innards with the graphic sex and violence that almost every other film uses. A few interesting details for those outside of California:The main character goes back to his blue collar, single story, simple ranch house-style hometown southeast of L.A. It's a remnant of a once working class white town in a region with many of that type. It was once covered with citrus orchards and palm trees. But now it is predominantly Hispanic, as are all the surrounding towns. The culture of lunchbox-carrying white people on the outskirts of L.A. is almost gone, with a complete reversal of population. Even the character has long since left. Ironically his next door neighbor is white, played by an Australian actress. What are the odds?But it also shows how wherever you go, and whatever you do, there are always stories developing. He meets a white girl working at a Latino market who takes a platonic interest in him, and encounters other characters he never asked to meet. Stuff happens, and stories are rolling at every exit off the highway.The religious theme is specifically Catholic-oriented. Which makes sense, since Latinos are Catholic, and even white working class people are often Catholic. Luke Wilson himself grew up Catholic. I don't think Protestants obsess over physical images of Jesus, which is a major plot device here.We are given zero information about this man's profession, or his specific health condition. What do his neighbor ladies do to pay the rent? Why is he single? Where did he live prior to returning to his hometown?Not so bad. If you need to be uplifted with a message of hope, and you can stand the boredom, give it a try. The real message is that faith itself heals.

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.

Why is everybody reviewing this wonderful film saying they did not like it because they do not like how it depicts a supposed miracle from a supposed god? I myself am a profound atheist. Hell, i'm even an anti-Christian. I'm not even baptised and I never went to church once in my life. I'm just happy that way :) But does that make this a bad movie? No it doesn't. The actors are absolutely brilliant and feel real-life. The camera-work pulls you right in. The story is simple yet powerful. The music is well-chosen, touching and stands on it's own in little moments of self-reflection. It had been long since I was this moved by a movie. Just watch it ... without presumptions ... without thinking ... and maybe you too will be moved.