The only thing I didn’t like about the new movie, Henry Poole Is Here, was the noise coming from one of those summer “lacklusters” in the theater next door. The change from a comic-book-turned-movie to a believable script with real human beings, full of faults, was as refreshing as the late-August breezes telling us that finally, fall is on the way. And with it, better movies as we head toward Oscar time.
Speaking of which, Academy Award nominee Adriana Barraza (Babel) stood out as Henry’s (Luke Wilson) caring albeit nosey neighbor. She might just get another nod for this performance. On Mr. Poole’s other side is a single mom and mute daughter. We hope and know there will be a romance, and we even know from the previews what moves the movie along – the face of Christ on Henry’s house.
What surprised me was how much I cared for all the characters and wished, almost, I lived in L.A. so I could have neighbors like that. (I was moved to tears several times.) Most of the time what I see of L.A. (on the big and little screen) are dysfunctional families whose members are involved in various crimes from drug-dealing to murder. New York comes across like that, too. So it’s pleasant to see “normal” people living outside of the heartland.
I’m just glad to finally see a movie this summer that I can genuinely recommend. High Five to independent films.
