Review of Fay Grim (2007) by Victor J — 23 Mar 2009

Fay Grim - Why is it, when someone starts talking about civilization, I hear the sound of machine guns?

An outstanding sequel to Henry Fool that leaves it in the dust.

Again written and directed by Hal Hartley, this movie answers the question left in the final scene of Henry Fool and picks up 13 years later where Fay (Parker Posey) must save Henry (Thomas Jay Ryan) in order to give their son Ned (Liam Aiken) a life and her brother Simon (James Urbaniak) his freedom.

Where Henry Fool was bringing small kitchen sink issues out onto the coffee table for discussion, Fay Grim blasts the kitchen sink into the stratosphere. An Agent Fulbright (Jeff Goldblum) and Simon's publisher Angus James (Chuck Montgomery) are both in search of the volumes that Henry Fool wrote before vanishing.

Fay, who has never left her slice of heaven, is tossed into the world of international espionage to discover not only who Henry really is but also who she is.

Agent Fulbright - Carl, go take a walk in the rain.

Fay Grim - Bye, Carl.

Agent Fulbright - Leave him alone.

Fay Grim - He likes me.

Agent Fulbright - That's his problem.

Hartley's direction and script kick ass. Parker Posey is wonderful (as always) as is the rest of the cast and the pacing is excellent. Where Henry Fool felt too long, this almost felt to short. Like Henry Fool, Fay Grim will make you think but in a more problem solving manner instead of an emotionally desperate one.

There is a confidence here that was absent in Henry Fool. As such, Fay Grim is an easier film to access and a more enjoyable ride.

And the ending, although good, hurt for all the right reasons.

If you're unsure over Henry Fool or Fay Grim, go with Grim then Fool. It may make more sense this way.

Henry Fool - If anything happens to Fay, Jallal, I'll torture your wives, your family, your children and their children. There'll be a disease upon this Earth with your name on it. The only thing anyone will inherit from Jallal Said Khan is a long lifetime of intolerable pain. Sorry. That's just the kinda guy I am.