Most people who want to believe in divine apparitions, spot iconic forms in the most incredible places. Their perception of what they find is based on the representation we all have been led to accept as the way those saintly individuals have been depicted in paintings dating from ancient times.

This is exactly what a nosy neighbor, Esperanza, sees on a wall that had been recently painted in the backyard of Henry Poole, a depressed young man that is suffering from sadness and depression. Henry decided to buy a house near the one where he grew up. That place was not for sale, so Henry opted for the next best thing, a house in the same block. In flashbacks we get to know the root of his problems; he is afflicted by a rare disease that is terminal. While Henry awaits for his death, he decides to spend his time alone near the place where he was happy once.

What Henry didn't bargained for was a neighbor like Esperanza. She stirs things up when she brings her church's pastor to take a look of that mysterious form believed to even drip blood. Henry couldn't care less about miracles, or supernatural things. The young woman next door, a single mother, begins to warm up to Henry. Her little girl Millie, goes around with a portable tape recording eavesdropping on her neighbor, who doesn't find it amusing, until he is told the girl doesn't speak because of the trauma caused by her deserting father who has gone away without explanation.

Henry Poole has to reflect on his life and his death; he drinks a lot, something the friendly cashier, Patience, at the supermarket he shops, tells him. Patience shows up at Henry's backyard one day to see the famous image on the wall. Suddenly, she can see without using her thick glasses, something she thinks is a miracle. Something similar occurs to Millie. The little girl begins to speak without any logical explanation. Esperanza suggests him to ask for a miracle as she finds out what's wrong with him. Unfortunately, he has had it with people and he knocks the wall down.

Mark Pellington directed this interesting film that questions how humans deals with matters of faith. The discovery of what is perceived to be sacred and what is just not so. It also deals with the way we cling to hope when a crisis, such as an illness, or a situation, that will be a test in one's faith. The screenplay is by Albert Torres.

Luke Wilson, an actor that has played a lot of comedy in his career, shows a serious side of himself, no doubt guided by Mr. Pellington to give an outstanding performance as Henry, a man that finds himself at a crossroad in his life. The wonderful Adriana Barraza, who plays Esperanza, makes a tremendous contribution to our enjoyment of the film with her well intentioned, but gossipy neighbor. Rhada Mitchell does a fine job with her next door neighbor, Dawn. Also in the cast, Cheryl Hines, Richard Benjamin and the adorable Morgan Lilly.

"Henry Poole is Here" is a serious film that deserves a viewing because it will disarm even the skeptics.

Luke Wilson is a man who wants to live a life of quiet desperation and drown his sorrows in as much alcohol as possible. However when the house he buys develops a water stain in the stucco in the back which a neighbor takes to be the face of God, he's forced to interact with the people around him.

Amusing little tale that somehow puts together all of its wild characters and makes it into an enjoyable comedy about how one person's faith affects those around him. I liked it. I really don't know what else to say beyond that.

Between 6 and 7 out of 10

Henry Poole (Luke Wilson) has lost all hope. He tries to buy his childhood home but he can only get a house in the neighborhood. There's a water stain on the wall. His neighbor Esperanza Martinez (Adriana Barraza) insists it's the face of Christ. It starts to bleed and she gets Father Salazar (George Lopez) to test it. More and more people arrive to see the miracle. Dawn Stupek (Radha Mitchell) and her daughter Millie (Morgan Lily) live next door. Millie has stopped talking since her father left a year earlier. She has her tape recorder and she befriends Henry.

It's a really touching movie at times. It's a spiritual movie that isn't too preachy. I would have liked Henry Poole do more than mop. Also Luke Wilson is a little limited as an actor. However, the touching moments are really powerful. Esperanza starts out as an annoying neighbor but her story is much deeper than that. Morgan Lily is unbearably adorable. This is a surprisingly little movie.