Are you "Here?"
Last night, Frank and I saw “Henry Poole Is Here” at the theaters. This movie is heavy on character study and light on special effects and action. The worldview seems to be based on a Catholic background…but, the issues of faith, God and belief were seeping through from every artfully designed shot in the film. I wouldn’t recommend seeing this movie if you need action & lots of blowing up things sequences to keep your attention. You need to be awake and ready to sift through the slow scenes, meaningful looks and drawn out dialogue (where there IS dialogue).
One interesting moment in the movie was when Esperanza (the devout Catholic neighbor lady) was trying to convince Henry to believe that the image of Christ which appears in a water stain on Henry’s recently stuccoed house is indeed a miracle from God. Luke Wilson (Owen Wilson’s brother), plays the part of Henry Poole so well. His personal pain is so believable and readily seen on his expressively sad-looking face! Anyway, Henry, in a moment of deep frustration and personal rejection, yells at Esperanza, “YOU need me to believe to make your faith stronger. …if I believe then it [validates] your belief!”
I really liked the way the movie portrayed Henry’s struggle with wanting to believe and being held back by his own rationalization and lack of belief.
Another thing that Frank liked about the movie is that in the end, what happened to Henry was by no way through the work of Henry. His belief or non-belief had no effect on how Henry ended up. If the message was of God changing Henry’s life, it was based upon God’s goodness and grace alone…not on any effort on Henry’s part.
There were so many life questions being asked in this movie. Though the director/writer did do a good job of raising those questions, they fell short on the answers. As Christians, we have succinct and clear answers to all the life questions raised in this movie. We have God’s Word!
“Who am I, and why am I so different or not like others?
Psalm 139:14 (NKJV) – “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made, marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.”
“What is my purpose?”
Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV) – “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
“Why did God give me so many disadvantages? (I am not smart, pretty or even popular.)”
Philippians 4:13 (NKJV) – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
“Is anyone in control?”
Colossians 1:13-17 (NASB) - For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
I would be interested to see what you think about the movie “Henry Poole Is Here.” If you go see it and want to talk about it, let’s do dinner or meet for lunch! Questions to think about – What do you believe is the theme of the movie? If you were Henry’s neighbor, how would you talk to him? Why was Henry so angry towards the end of the movie? Do you think the makers of this film believe in miracles? Do you believe in miracles? At one point, Henry says, “There is no hope. We have no hope.” Do you have hope? And, if you do, what is it based upon?
If you do see the movie, the Christian group “Golden State,” has a song featured in the movie. It is in the scene when Henry takes a walk to the Los Angeles river bed and looks for a place he used to go as a child to get away when his parents were fighting.
Henry had isolated himself from the world and didn’t want to interact with any human. He doesn’t see the point as he “won’t be here for much longer.” Once he began to interact with people again, he found he still wanted to “be here.” Do you isolate yourself from other Christians? Why?
When you come to church, Youth Group, or any other related function, are you really “here?” Or are you biding your time, waiting for something “more” or something else that you have planned for that day? Make a point to be really “here” the next time we meet as a Youth Group. God designed us to fellowship with each other and to build each other up. We can’t really do that if our minds or hearts are focused on “there” away from the here and now of our meeting.
Be here.
I'll be here too.
I love you all & pray for you daily.
Lastly, do you believe the man in red really wanted to be a better dancer?
One interesting moment in the movie was when Esperanza (the devout Catholic neighbor lady) was trying to convince Henry to believe that the image of Christ which appears in a water stain on Henry’s recently stuccoed house is indeed a miracle from God. Luke Wilson (Owen Wilson’s brother), plays the part of Henry Poole so well. His personal pain is so believable and readily seen on his expressively sad-looking face! Anyway, Henry, in a moment of deep frustration and personal rejection, yells at Esperanza, “YOU need me to believe to make your faith stronger. …if I believe then it [validates] your belief!”
I really liked the way the movie portrayed Henry’s struggle with wanting to believe and being held back by his own rationalization and lack of belief.
Another thing that Frank liked about the movie is that in the end, what happened to Henry was by no way through the work of Henry. His belief or non-belief had no effect on how Henry ended up. If the message was of God changing Henry’s life, it was based upon God’s goodness and grace alone…not on any effort on Henry’s part.
There were so many life questions being asked in this movie. Though the director/writer did do a good job of raising those questions, they fell short on the answers. As Christians, we have succinct and clear answers to all the life questions raised in this movie. We have God’s Word!
“Who am I, and why am I so different or not like others?
Psalm 139:14 (NKJV) – “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made, marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.”
“What is my purpose?”
Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV) – “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
“Why did God give me so many disadvantages? (I am not smart, pretty or even popular.)”
Philippians 4:13 (NKJV) – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
“Is anyone in control?”
Colossians 1:13-17 (NASB) - For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
I would be interested to see what you think about the movie “Henry Poole Is Here.” If you go see it and want to talk about it, let’s do dinner or meet for lunch! Questions to think about – What do you believe is the theme of the movie? If you were Henry’s neighbor, how would you talk to him? Why was Henry so angry towards the end of the movie? Do you think the makers of this film believe in miracles? Do you believe in miracles? At one point, Henry says, “There is no hope. We have no hope.” Do you have hope? And, if you do, what is it based upon?
If you do see the movie, the Christian group “Golden State,” has a song featured in the movie. It is in the scene when Henry takes a walk to the Los Angeles river bed and looks for a place he used to go as a child to get away when his parents were fighting.
Henry had isolated himself from the world and didn’t want to interact with any human. He doesn’t see the point as he “won’t be here for much longer.” Once he began to interact with people again, he found he still wanted to “be here.” Do you isolate yourself from other Christians? Why?
When you come to church, Youth Group, or any other related function, are you really “here?” Or are you biding your time, waiting for something “more” or something else that you have planned for that day? Make a point to be really “here” the next time we meet as a Youth Group. God designed us to fellowship with each other and to build each other up. We can’t really do that if our minds or hearts are focused on “there” away from the here and now of our meeting.
Be here.
I'll be here too.
I love you all & pray for you daily.
Lastly, do you believe the man in red really wanted to be a better dancer?