Henry's Crime (2010)

This isn't really a think piece although describing its structure makes it sound like one. Both Keanu Reeves and James Caan's careers have been on life support for a while but they both had a lot to work with here and they came through. Vera Farminga is now at the top of my list of favorite actresses. She is one strong capable woman and that comes flying out of the screen.

The film which moves from one layer to the next, starting as an I-have-no-life-but-don't-know-it tragedy, to a theatrical drama which blossoms about half way through into a comedy which then plows into reality. But the plot is pretty simple: good guy decided to rob the bank he was unjustly sentenced to prison for. It's an interesting premise, but if that's all it had, it'd would only have been mediocre or average.

I wrote and thanked the theater here for showing it.

Fmovies: I saw this film on it's opening night and very much enjoyed it. The plot and its' details were original in a sense, and the casting was perfect. Keanu's character 'Henry' was quiet and thoughtful, one of those people who seems shy but is mostly pensive. Which is refreshing in a sense that each time he speaks, you know it's something of substance. His chemistry with Vera is perfectly suited and humorous. And of course, with James Caan's con character thrown into the mix, the audience is in for a treat. The film is well outlined and easy to follow, yet interesting and suspenseful at times. I'd highly recommend going to see it.

HENRY'S CRIME is a dark comedy that actually carries a fairly good afterburn. The story is solid, the characters are unusual, and the setting in Buffalo, NY is appropriately dark and dank. This is a tale of how people react to their own personalities, moving through the world seemingly oblivious to those around them, afraid to create dreams much less go after them.

Flatline Henry Torne (Keanu Reeves) works the night shift in a freeway tollbooth, quite alone, and seemingly undisturbed by his isolation. At dawn he goes home to his tiny house where he greets his wife, nurse Debbie (Judy Geer) who wants to talk about beginning a family but as usual things distract the couple's ability to have a conversation. Friends pick up Henry to have him replace a member of the neighborhood baseball team and Henry goes along (as he does with everything that comes his way) only to wind up as the driver of a getaway car for his 'teammates' as they pause to rob a bank. Henry is so loopy that he is not sure what happened and is arrested by the bank cop Frank (Bill Duke) and without much effort in protecting his innocence, Henry is convicted and imprisoned. There he meets Max Saltzman (James Caan) who loves being in the protection of prison (low goals in life). When Henry comes up for parole, Max wishes him luck in finding a dream (or waking up to life) and Henry wanders back to his home: Debbie has married worthless Joe (Danny Hoch) and is pregnant - and none of this seems to bother Henry either. Henry decides to return to the bank he was convicted of 'robbing' and is struck by a cellphone carrying driving actress Julie (Vera Farmiga). Henry has feelings (surprise!) for Julie, follows her into the theater next to the bank where Julie is rehearsing Chekhov's 'The Cherry Orchard'. Things finally begin to move: the theater is connected to the bank by a tunnel, Henry visits Max and convinces him to get out on parole, and the two men plan to actually rob the bank Henry was sent to prison for not robbing! From here the puzzle takes twists and turns but the result is Henry's finally waking up to his emotions (with Julie), with a 'dream' of robbing the bank to repay the fact that he was unjustly incarcerated, and nothing - and everything - goes as planned with big surprises in the end.

Malcolm Venville directs this plodding venture written by Sacha Gervasi, David White, and Stephen Hamel. Much of the plot is rather silly but that seems somehow proper for a character as bland as Henry (played with appropriate flatness by Reeves). Farmiga and Caan add the sparkle that keeps the boat afloat. Just when viewers are about to groan over this story, it reminds everyone of some of the people who are sleepwalking through life, whether blandly or anxiously, and by film's end the importance of dreams and an appreciation of the events that make our lives interesting and quirky provides some valuable food for thought.

Grady Harp

Henry's Crime fmovies. I've just watched this movie, and though my expectations were not very high, "Henry's Crime" surprised me in a very pleasant way. The acting is superb, starting with a sentimental Keanu Reeves, continuing with an excellent performance by Vera Farmiga, and ending with the always credible James Caan. The plot in itself is very simple, but that simplicity is an important feature of this film. Henry (Reeves) gets mixed up, unknowingly, in a bank robbery by an old high school buddy. After serving three years in prison, he decided to change the way he handled his life, by attempting to rob the same bank, though this time, with full intention. When casing the bank, he gets run over by Julie (Farmiga), an actress working in a play in the theater next to the bank. From there on, they got to know each other, until they began a relationship. At the same time, Henry asks his former cell-mate, Max (Caan), to help him out to rob the bank. The plot seems kind of unrealistic, but, in my opinion, it is not important. The real important thing is the portrayal of each character, very well done if you ask me. The writers focus on the fears, the dreams, and the feelings of each character to state how we may react in the different situations the movie presents. Though it has not the potential to win an Oscar, "Henry's Crime" is an excellent movie, entertaining, but above all, insightful, which is something not very common these days.

I understand why some people did not like this very good film - it is slower, and it is not The Matrix, or Konstantin. This is a very good work, and yes, Keanu's character is a bit slow, silent and detached - but here is what he is like. His role is balanced perfectly by fiery and very funny James Caan who did a very, very excellent job. His part of a con-man is a great plus, and his part is almost The best in here. Vera Farmiga is another great plus of the movie, her part of a Russian theater actress is very cool, too. She does a perfect Diva here, and does it extremely convincing way. Well, yes, the movie is not a fast and furious action one, but this was not the intent. The very theater style of the film is obvious, and the nice link to the Chekhov's play is a warm heart-thawing welcome for all Russian viewers. Keanu is a very good Lopakhin and Vera is a very sweet Ranevskaya. And then, yeah, here is excellent Peter Stormare as a choleric and very short-tempered theater director with all his idiosyncrasies and craze. Casting was done very well, and this stellar ensemble of actors is a mighty element for the great movie.

I didn't know what to expect when I saw the film first at the Toronto Film Festival. But I was very surprised to see Keanu Reeves in a non action special effects film. Henry's Crime is a perfect role for Reeves. I was also blown away by James Caan and Vera Farmiga. Both give standout performances worth of wards.

The film is a funny heist story with a twist of romantic comedy. It doesn't go over the top, but it is a fun ride and makes you feel all warm and fuzzy at the end. Not quite a chick flick, but a good date movie as both men and women will appreciate the cast and the storyline.

Other great cast mentions are Fisher Stevens as a conniving partner in crime and Bill Duke as a helpful security guard.

The script is clever and the music is eclectic. I can't see anyone not enjoying the fun and funny film. Highly recommended!