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movie review - Henry Fool

the journal of Michael Werneburg

twenty-seven years and one million words

This is a surprising film, as are most of Hal Hartley's other works, with wonderful throwaway dialogue and a cast of rich, real characters.

This is a rare film. It's about two writers: one of whom finds great success as the author of a great work of controversial poetry; the other finding ignominy and violence, eventually being smuggled out of the country (allegedly the U.S., but I think it was Montreal). Their intertwined lives (the latter marries the other's sister, after igniting the urge to write in the former) and those of the people around them are pursued over a space of some eight years.

What makes this film so great (and, in my opinion, unusual) is the context it entails. There are many characters in this film, whose roles are well beyond simple supporting props.

Recommended.