Review of Henry Poole Is Here (2008) by Stephen S — 17 Aug 2008

An uplifting and touching tale of faith that actually manages to not be preachy. It's the simple but well told story of Henry Poole, who after finding out he's dying of a rare disease, returns to the town he grew up in. But when a water stain in his backyard resembles that of Jesus Christ, it creates an unwelcome stir (to Henry) in the town as people want to touch the stain and it affects the peolpe in profound ways.

Luke Wilson gives the best performance of his career as a man who just wanted to die quietly and alone but with the help of a budding romance with his next door neighbor (played by the lovely Radha Mitchell) and her troubled daughter, he is able to find happiness.

The story is fairly predictable and there are times when the movie does get a little corny but for the most part I found the movie to be touching and engaging. It's directed by Mark Pellington who previously made the thrillers Arlington Road and The Mothman Prophecies. He made this movie after his wife died and it's sincere effort and is one of the better movies of the year/summer.