Fay Grim is a 2006 American independent espionage thriller film written and directed by Hal Hartley and starring Parker Posey, Jeff Goldblum, James Urbaniak, and Liam Aiken. The film is a sequel to Hartley's 1997 film Henry Fool.
The film begins several years after the events of Henry Fool, with Fay Grim, now a single mother, living in a small upstate New York town. Her brother Simon, who has become a celebrated poet thanks to the notoriety of his mentor Henry, is in prison for aiding and abetting Henry's escape after he killed their neighbor.
One day, Fay receives a surprise visit from CIA agent Fulbright, who informs her that Henry's journals have been discovered in France, and that they contain valuable intelligence about Al-Qaeda. The CIA wants her to travel to France, retrieve the journals, and bring them back to America.
Reluctantly, Fay agrees to the mission, thinking that it might help her brother's case. But as she delves deeper into the world of espionage, she discovers that things are not what they seem. CIA agents are following her every move, and she begins to suspect that Henry might still be alive and playing some kind of game with her.
Fay's journey takes her to Paris, Istanbul, and even Afghanistan, where she meets some shady characters and gets involved in a dangerous world of secrets and lies. As the plot thickens, she begins to uncover a sinister conspiracy involving Henry's journals, and she starts to realize that her own life might be in danger.
The film has a unique visual style, combining the look of a spy thriller with Hartley's trademark deadpan humor and off-kilter characterizations. Posey gives a strong performance as the tough, resourceful Fay, who must use all her wits to survive in a world of espionage and intrigue. Goldblum brings his usual quirky charm to the role of Fulbright, while Urbaniak is hilarious as the hapless Simon.
Overall, Fay Grim is a highly entertaining and engrossing thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end.
