Henry Fool
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Henry Fool
1997
Comedy, Drama
2h 17m
Socially inept garbage man Simon is befriended by Henry Fool, a witty roguish, but talent-less novelist. Henry opens a magical world of literature to Simon who turns his hand to writing the 'great American poem'. As Simon begins his controversial ascent to the dizzying heights of Nobel Prize winning poet, Henry sinks to a life of drinking in low-life bars. The two friends fall out and lose touch until Henry's criminal past catches up with him. (imdb)
Directed by:
Hal HartleyScreenwriter:
Hal HartleyHenry Fool
1997
Comedy, Drama
2h 17m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 65.6% from 413 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews
(416)
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Rated 20 Feb 2021
87
71st
It's very timely in my life but also overlong and a few parts rubbed me the wrong way. Namely the juvenile diarrhea scene and when Henry seemed to claim that sex offenders are somehow immune to getting raped in prison
Rated 20 Feb 2021
Rated 22 May 2019
7
94th
is that such a priority? is that some sort of measure of a man's worth? to drag what's best in him out into the street so every average slob with some pretense to taste and a criticker account can poke it with a stick? maybe. maybe it is.
Rated 22 May 2019
Rated 02 Apr 2010
100
99th
"See, Simon, there are three kinds of there. There's 'There'. T-H-E-R-E. There are the donuts. Then there's T-H-E-I-R; which is the possessive. It is their donut. Then, finally, there's 'they're'. T-H-E-Y-'-R-E. A contraction, meaning they are. They're the donut people. Get it?"
Rated 02 Apr 2010
Rated 19 Dec 2008
90
94th
I think I could talk about this movie for 24 straight hours.
Rated 19 Dec 2008
Rated 12 Jun 2024
70
78th
The set-up (but not the intention) is a kind of variation on BOUDU, but Hartley's more interested in the inner and outer lives of those who, in the words of Newman, never adjusted to the great big world. There are things/characters here that cannot be found anywhere else, and even less so today, though I didn’t find it as hilarious as some. It seems that Hartley's one of the few who stuck to his artistic convictions and accepted the perpetually low budgets he would have to work with as a result.
Rated 12 Jun 2024
Rated 18 Aug 2021
70
76th
Peak 90s indie film about angst and oh no there aren't any real issues anymore. Starts off with some weak body humor but gets progressively better. I spent the first part wondering if Henry Fool was imaginary. Parker Posey steals the show, even though her character is quite underbaked. I especially liked the gatherings at the Dengs' shop. Fav scene: disheveled mom Parker Posey socking Thomas Jay Ryan in the stomach at the bar so hard he spits out his cigarette, then she piggybacks her son away.
Rated 18 Aug 2021
Rated 02 Jun 2015
75
37th
A strange independent film with an original voice that seems to come from putting ordinary characters into extraordinary situations, but never really explaining whether drama or humour is the intention. While the film deserves praise for its unique characters, dialogue, and seemingly uncompromised adhesion to a vision, my one gripe is that is was overlong by a good 30 minutes. The film feels like an auteur slowly finding himself and it may take him years to fully understand himself.
Rated 02 Jun 2015
Rated 05 May 2015
85
95th
So, so great. The only down side is how long this movie is, I almost felt like the ending - certainly everything after Ned has been born and is already school-age - was the start of a whole 'nother movie.
Rated 05 May 2015
Rated 13 Apr 2009
90
88th
I had to watch this on a VHS copy with bad sound and picture but it was totally worth it. Really odd, dark little masterpiece with sharp dialogue and three perfect lead characters. Parker Posey!! How is this not a cult classic? Really, more people should see it. And there is a sequel with Posey in the lead ten years later. Can't wait.
Rated 13 Apr 2009
Rated 12 Nov 2007
90
81st
Spare and deliberate, all the more beautiful for it. the pacing is amazing and the cast wonderful. Oh how I love Hal Hartley's films.
Rated 12 Nov 2007
Rated 24 Sep 2023
60
35th
Although this keeps some of the quirkiness of Harley's earlier films, it doesn't have quite the same level of black humor (or if it did, I was missing it).
Rated 24 Sep 2023
Rated 03 Mar 2023
100
98th
Rated 29 Jul 2022
89
94th
"Look, Simon, I made love to your mother about half an hour ago and now I'm beginning to think maybe it wasn't such a good idea." Thomas Jay Ryan is fantastic as the titular lead--it's really his movie. THAT'S someone I'd like to have a couple of martinis with! "Your poem brought my period on a week and a half early, so just shut up!" Hartley has made a hilarious and enthralling movie out of musings on the artistic process and the artist's role in society. (And Veanne Cox is divine, as always.)
Rated 29 Jul 2022
Rated 02 Feb 2020
85
59th
Viewed February 1, 2020.
Rated 02 Feb 2020
Rated 08 Jul 2018
83
70th
Fascinating, rambling film remains doggedly unpredictable, and unexpectedly funny, for almost its entire length - inevitably the ramshackle and aimless structure can't quite sustain an almost 2 1/2 hour running time, but its unique and bizarre flavour, and 3 socko lead performances (with a hypnotic one from guru-like Ryan), make up for any weaknesses.
Rated 08 Jul 2018
Rated 26 Dec 2011
86
91st
A great little independent film. Another great performance by Parker Posey. Thomas Jay Ryan and James Urbaniak are also very good in this film. I highly recommend this film.
Rated 26 Dec 2011
Rated 25 Sep 2009
79
87th
"We know we have fallen, for we know who we are."
Rated 25 Sep 2009
Rated 15 Feb 2009
0
0th
"Look ma, this is me being super-cult!" Seriously, this is one of the worse movies I've ever seen in my life.
Rated 15 Feb 2009
Rated 21 Jul 2008
75
49th
Fairly enjoyable overall. I really liked the strange way these characters interacted with one another, Simon slowly but deliberately coming into his own, and the bitterly comic moments scattered throughout.
Rated 21 Jul 2008
Rated 27 Apr 2008
85
89th
It's hard to talk about how I like this movie without sounding like an asshole, but it is very funny in its quirkiness.
Rated 27 Apr 2008
Rated 31 Mar 2008
30
14th
Slow & frequently boring, but interesting in craft & rather compelling. The performances are excellent, but the film stays on screen when there's absolutely nothing else i care to see. People say Simon looks like me.
Rated 31 Mar 2008
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Directed by:
Hal HartleyScreenwriter:
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