Henry Fool (1998)

HENRY FOOL is an odd one, and a long one, clocking in at an ass-
numbing two hours and eighteen minutes.  The core story, about a 
shy garbage man who's a poet and doesn't know it, is admittedly 
intriguing.  Amusingly intense characters, too, including another 
scene-stealing turn by Parker Posey (CLOCKWATCHERS) as the trash 
man's sexually obsessed sister.  Overall, though, this drama tries 
too hard to distract, by taking turns too theatrical, nonsensical, 
and just plain absurd.  (The latter in reference to a bathroom bit 
that rivals even the most outrageous moment in THERE'S SOMETHING 
MARY.  We could barely believe our eyes.)  And that extended coda 
ain't much of a bargain, either.  With Thomas Jay Ryan, James Ur-
baniak, Maria Porter, James Saito, Kevin Corrigan, and Chuck Mont-
gomery.  Written and directed by Hal Hartley (FLIRT).  (Rated "R"/
138 min.)

Grade: C-

Copyright 1998 by Michael J. Legeros
Movie Hell is a trademark of Michael J. Legeros

Originally posted to triangle.movies as MOVIE HELL: August 9, 1998