This past week I watched two fantastic films: “Henry Fool” (1997) & “Fay Grim” (2006). “Fay Grim” is actually the sequel to “Henry Fool”, so I had to watch them in order. Both star one of my all-time fave indie actresses Parker Posie! And in these films, she’s fabulous!

Literary drama? Family dysfunction & squabbles? Stranger in town? Tension? Suspense? Oh yeah! And then some! At first I found myself suspicious of this “Henry Fool” character, but then I grew to love him even as the other characters began to suspect or distrust him. I don’t want to give too much away, so here’s the deal:

IMDB plot description: Socially inept garbage man Simon is befriended by Henry Fool, a witty roguish, but talent-less novelist. Henry opens a magical world of literature to Simon who turns his hand to writing the ‘great American poem’. As Simon begins his controversial ascent to the dizzying heights of Nobel Prize winning poet, Henry sinks to a life of drinking in low-life bars. The two friends fall out and lose touch until Henry’s criminal past catches up with him.

And the moment the credits roll, you cannot wait to find out what happens next…

I wasn’t sure what to expect with this sequel, but I was dazzled further and well…

IMDB plot description: A ten-years-later continuation of Hal Hartley’s “Henry Fool”, where Fay Grim (Posey) is coerced by a CIA agent (Goldblum) to try and locate notebooks that belonged to her fugitive ex-husband (Ryan). Published in them is information that could compromises the security of the U.S., causing Fay to first head to Paris to fetch them.

Again, when the credits rolled my husband and I looked at each other and agreed, they need to make the third installment NOW!!! Ha-ha! While I did feel that the first film felt much longer than it was, I was never bored. I was tired, though, so that didn’t help. These films are filled with passion and witty dialogue, great acting and some heart wrenching moments that will stick with you for awhile.  I was amazed that they were able to reassemble the original cast for this, fantastic! You feel as though you know these characters and you want to help them with their struggles.

You will not be disappointed by “Henry Fool” & “Fay Grim” and you’ll be wanting more, too!