Plot: In a working class neighborhood in Los Angeles, a world weary Henry Poole buys a house, caring little about its lack of amenities. He drinks and eats pizza. Recent stucco work has left a brown stain in a patio wall, and, to Henry's irritation, Esperanza, a neighbor, is certain she can see the face of Jesus in the stain. She brings her priest, then others. Meanwhile, Henry hears his conversations replayed over the fence in another neighbor's yard: it's Millie, about 7, mute, clutching a tape recorder. He tells Millie's mom why he's sad and angry. The face on the wall seems to shed a tear of blood. Is Henry beyond feeling any emotion?
Alternative Plot: With little time left due to a terminal disease, Henry Poole (Luke Wilson) buys a cookie-cutter house in a Los Angeles suburb and waits peacefully to die. However, he starts hearing a voice from next door that seems to be mimicking him perfectly. Upon investigating, Henry discovers that it's his neighbor's mute daughter with a tape recorder. Meanwhile, his other neighbor, Esperanza (Adriana Barraza), believes a stain on Henry's patio is the face of Jesus and begins showing it off to people.
Rate this movie!