I came upon this film not knowing of Director Hal Hartley; i.e., despite seeking out independent and art house stuff. I concede I've a major crush on Parker Posey. Try my odd approach: I started watching the first half of FAY GRIMM, the 2007 sequel to HENRY FOOL. Only upon taking a break did I learn that FG was a follow-up. I then went back and watched the entire HF before returning to watch the second half of FG. That this worked so well for me must say something about Mr. Hartley's film making. I'm guessing something good.
Another IMDb User states that "You've never a film like HENRY FOOL". I could not agree more. Devices like subtle (and not-so-subtle) humor and gross outs (See CLERKS) are not new. But HF does the impossible: it presents an absolutely repugnant protagonist, a dull foil and a stagnant setting and endears the lout to us and makes an ugly mundane Queens neighborhood endearing.
I could write a small book about the relationship between Henry and Simon. The former is a fraud, knows he is such and even knows that others know he is such. No one sees through Henry better than Simon, who despite all his own inadequacies, understands that Henry is espousing wisdom that Henry does not fully understand and may not even believe. That Simon becomes motivated seems almost adverse reaction to Henry's unsolicited rants. The relationship continues but what do we call it? Nurturing? Festering? Pro-active? Antagonistic? One-ups-mans-ship? Is it Lennon/McCartney or Crips/Bloods?
This film becomes just so entertaining that I forgot that I was watching non-commercial, independent fare that wasn't going to blossom into elaborate sets, international settings (though such changes in FAY GRIM) or other expensive treats. I was having so much fun I replaced my scholar's cap with a backwards baseball cap and began rooting for..... well,.... actually I didn't know what I was rooting for. Maybe that is the beauty of HF. But when I got done watching HF I had the distinct belief that I had seen something original that was the product of - if not genius (I hate that word) - at least sincere inspiration and energy. I dare you to see it.
PS/I've no clear idea on why having a Budweiser can in almost every scene works so well. Miss Posey is absolutely hysterical and her performance tops even her Christopher Guest work.
Another IMDb User states that "You've never a film like HENRY FOOL". I could not agree more. Devices like subtle (and not-so-subtle) humor and gross outs (See CLERKS) are not new. But HF does the impossible: it presents an absolutely repugnant protagonist, a dull foil and a stagnant setting and endears the lout to us and makes an ugly mundane Queens neighborhood endearing.
I could write a small book about the relationship between Henry and Simon. The former is a fraud, knows he is such and even knows that others know he is such. No one sees through Henry better than Simon, who despite all his own inadequacies, understands that Henry is espousing wisdom that Henry does not fully understand and may not even believe. That Simon becomes motivated seems almost adverse reaction to Henry's unsolicited rants. The relationship continues but what do we call it? Nurturing? Festering? Pro-active? Antagonistic? One-ups-mans-ship? Is it Lennon/McCartney or Crips/Bloods?
This film becomes just so entertaining that I forgot that I was watching non-commercial, independent fare that wasn't going to blossom into elaborate sets, international settings (though such changes in FAY GRIM) or other expensive treats. I was having so much fun I replaced my scholar's cap with a backwards baseball cap and began rooting for..... well,.... actually I didn't know what I was rooting for. Maybe that is the beauty of HF. But when I got done watching HF I had the distinct belief that I had seen something original that was the product of - if not genius (I hate that word) - at least sincere inspiration and energy. I dare you to see it.
PS/I've no clear idea on why having a Budweiser can in almost every scene works so well. Miss Posey is absolutely hysterical and her performance tops even her Christopher Guest work.