Henry Poole Is Here Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A man buys a house to die alone, but then a wall stain becomes more popular than him, leading to existential home improvement.

🍿 Henry Poole Is Here: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Henry’s Solitary Retreat

Henry Poole, believing he’s terminally ill, buys a house in his old neighborhood, seeking solitude. He intends to spend his remaining days alone, drinking and eating pizza, avoiding any human connection. He is trying to escape a past filled with sadness and regret and face what he thinks is the inevitable.

The ‘Miracle’ Unfolds

His plan is disrupted when Esperanza, a nosy and deeply religious neighbor, discovers a stain on his stucco wall that she believes is the face of Jesus. She is convinced it possesses miraculous powers. This draws unwanted attention, turning his backyard into a local shrine as people come to pray and seek healing.

Connections and Doubts

Henry finds himself drawn into the lives of his neighbors, particularly Dawn and her mute daughter, Millie. As Millie begins to speak after touching the wall, Henry grapples with his skepticism and the potential for belief. He sees how the ‘miracle’ brings hope to the community, yet he struggles with his own lack of faith.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Henry Poole (Luke Wilson): A disillusioned man who, believing he’s terminally ill, seeks solitude but finds his life disrupted by unexpected hope and faith.
• Dawn Stupek (Radha Mitchell): A single mother and Henry’s neighbor, who finds hope for her mute daughter Millie through the perceived miracle.
• Esperanza Martinez (Adriana Barraza): Henry’s devoutly religious neighbor who believes she sees the face of Jesus in a stain on his wall.
• Millie Stupek (Morgan Lily): Dawn’s mute daughter who begins to speak again, fueling the belief in the miracle.
• Father Salazar (George Lopez): The local priest who is called upon to investigate the supposed miracle on Henry’s wall.
• Patience (Rachel Seiferth): A grocery store clerk whose vision improves, adding to the belief of the wall being miraculous

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Esperanza: “It’s a miracle, Henry! Can’t you see it?” – Esperanza expresses her unwavering belief that the stain on Henry’s wall is a sign of Jesus, despite Henry’s skepticism.
• Henry Poole: “I just want to be left alone.” – Henry’s repeated plea highlights his desire for isolation and his resistance to the community’s interpretation of the stain.
• Father Salazar: “Sometimes, what people need is just a little bit of hope.” – The priest explains that regardless of a miracle, the hope it brings can be powerful.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $8 million
• Domestic Gross: $1,836,515
• Worldwide Gross: $1,923,800

💥 Henry Poole Is Here Reviews

Personal Review

I found ‘Henry Poole Is Here’ to be surprisingly touching. Luke Wilson’s portrayal of a man grappling with mortality really resonated with me. The quirky neighbors and the whole ‘miracle’ aspect felt a bit much at times, but it ultimately led to a heartwarming story about finding hope in unexpected places. That scene where Millie speaks for the first time after touching the wall got me, I admit it. It’s a feel-good movie, plain and simple, and sometimes that’s exactly what you need.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Luke Wilson”
  • “Viewers interested in stories about faith and redemption”
  • “Those who enjoy character-driven dramas”
  • “People seeking uplifting and heartwarming films”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Themes of terminal illness”
  • “Alcohol use”
  • “Religious themes (may be sensitive for some viewers)”

Professional Reviews

• Chicago Sun-Times: “Roger Ebert praised the film for its ability to emotionally touch viewers, regardless of their religious beliefs. He highlighted the film’s warm-hearted love story and its successful portrayal of belief as a real and powerful force.
• IMDB: “The film received mixed reviews. Some praised the film’s acting, direction, and story, while others criticized the plot for being predictable and overly sentimental. Religious elements were divisive.

Audience Reactions

Viewers appreciated the movie’s exploration of faith and the power of belief.: Many felt the film offered a heartwarming message about hope, community, and finding meaning in life’s challenges.

Some thought the religious elements were too strong and detracted from the overall story.: Some viewers felt the plot became overly sentimental and predictable.

Overall Consensus: A feel-good film with mixed reviews; praised for its heartwarming message and performances, but criticized for being predictable and overly sentimental.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Mark Pellington, the director, is known for his music video work with bands like U2 and Pearl Jam, which influenced the film’s stylistic choices, particularly the use of music and slow-motion shots.”
• “The film explores themes of faith, hope, and community, prompting discussions about belief and the power of human connection.”
• “Adriana Barraza’s performance as Esperanza was praised for its warmth and authenticity, bringing a sense of heart to the film.”

🖥️ How to Watch Henry Poole Is Here?

Henry Poole Is Here is available to rent or buy on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability on cable on-demand services. Some streaming services may offer it with a subscription, depending on current licensing agreements.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Henry Poole Is Here, you might like these similar films:

• Signs (2002): Deals with themes of faith, skepticism, and unexplained phenomena in a small-town setting.
• Local Hero (1983): Features a cynical protagonist whose life is unexpectedly changed by a small community and seemingly minor events.
• Waking Ned Devine (1998): A small community coming together, faith, hope and a small amount of quirky comedy.

🛒 Henry Poole Is Here Related Products

• Henry Poole Is Here [DVD]: Own the DVD of this heart-warming drama. Great as a gift.
• Luke Wilson signed photo: Genuine signed photograph of Luke Wilson.
• Radha Mitchell autographed photo: Genuine signed photograph of Radha Mitchell.

🎧 Soundtrack

Henry Poole Is Here features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “On an Ocean” – performed by Lisa Gerrard and Jeff Rona
• “Various Film Score” – performed by Jeff Rona

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Henry Poole Is Here (2008) (Score) : John Frizzle – Millie’s Miracle

Ever wondered about that beautiful music in ‘Henry Poole Is Here’? This video isolates one of the best tracks. Seriously, give it a listen – it’s surprisingly moving on its own!

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