Text size:

'Henry Poole Is Here'

Rating:

BY RAFER GUZMÁN | rafer.guzman@newsday.com

August 15, 2008

After purchasing a generic home in suburban Los Angeles, Henry Poole ( Luke Wilson) moves in and awaits death, covering his windows, sleeping all day and self-medicating with vodka. Neither a well-meaning neighbor named Esperanza (Adriana Barraza, the nanny in "Babel") nor the hottie mom next door can lift his cloud of self-pity - well, maybe the hottie mom (Radha Mitchell, a vision of midriff and denim). But a higher power intervenes when Esperanza sees the face of Christ in Poole's lousy stucco job. Despite a series of subsequent miracles and visits from the local priest (George Lopez, in a low-key turn), Poole maintains his skepticism - but for how long?

For a mildly quirky comedy-drama, " Henry Poole Is Here" has some surprising philosophical heft. Between the conventional romance and the requisite subplot involving a Child Who Needs a Father (Morgan Lily, all dinner-plate eyes) come questions of faith, hope and hopelessness. Director Mark Pellington occasionally overdoes the angst - Poole's misery can get a bit exasperating - but the heartfelt script by Albert Torres ("3:10 to Yuma") shines through, even during the ending you long ago foresaw.

(PG)

PLOT A chronic depressive discovers his wall may be miraculously branded with the face of Christ.

CAST Luke Wilson, Radha Mitchell, Adriana Barraza, George Lopez

LENGTH 1:40

PLAYING AT Area theaters

BOTTOM LINE This quirky comedy-drama is more conventional than it wants to be, but also deeper than it might seem.