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Henry Fool (1998)

Henry Fool (1998)

R

A rambling but profound ode to American blue-collar work and intellectualism

7.8

Movie

United States of America
English
Comedy, Drama
1998
HAL HARTLEY
Camille Paglia, Christy Carlson Romano, Chuck Montgomery
137 min

TLDR

Before there was Patterson, there was Henry Fool.

What it's about

Garbage man Simon (James Urbaniak) decides to shift careers when he meets Henry Fool (Thomas Jay Ryan), a writer who convinces Simon he has poetic talents.

The take

It’s easy to mistake Henry Fool for one of those stylish, aimless movies that only look smart but are, essentially, hollow. But it’s not one of those films. Directed by indie director Hal Hartley, Henry Fool is a funny and poignant look into American blue-collar life. The deadpan look, blocky colors, and unrealistic but philosophical dialogue add to the charm. Still, the film’s surprising capacity for hope and humanity makes it a timeless and highly watchable film. This is peak American independent cinema, and it’s one that deserves more credit.

What stands out

Seriously, Parker Posey deserves an award for her remarkable contributions to the indie cinema movement of the ‘90s.

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