Henry Fool Details

Hilarious, touching, unexpected black comedy!

I first saw this film in 1998. Since then I've probably seen it about ten more times and I'm not really someone who watches films over and over. So why? Because it's beautifully constructed, with great direction, witty, sharp scripting, brilliant camera work and a very atmospheric soundtrack ( which contributes one hell of a lot). The characters are eccentric and yet very real. It's also a very quirky story that'll make you chuckle, but also shock you, and has a dark edge that keeps you thinking, wondering. There are moments that are just hilarious, and Hal Hartley is able to bounce you between great empathy for a character and then a sudden sense of uncertainty, shock, detachment. I love the relationship that Fool develops with the community he lands in. I shall probably watch this film another 2 or 3 times again this year. And I'll find more in it again. Watch it!

[Highly rated reviewer]

Could become a classic

A wholly American film which reminds one of the great literature that land has produced, in particular that of Mark Twain. The Henry Fool of the title is is a quasi literary figure (brilliantly played by Thomas Jay Ryan) who influences a young no hoper to 'write down his thoughts', not realising that the anarchic views produced will become some of the finest poetry that America has ever seen. This is a finely layered film, and the home life of James Urbaniak's Simon Grim, including the antics of his sex mad sister Fay (Parker Posey) are at times hilarious. All this is the work of Hal Hartley, a phenomenal filmic presence whose star seems to have waned for the past decade. A pity, as he must be one of the most original players in modern cinema. The main film is accompanied by two of his shorts, which show the promise which 'Henry Fool' has most definitely realised.