Fay Grim is Hal Hartley's version of the espionage thriller. Consequently; it's more peculiar than pulse-pounding; but that's what makes his films appealing--to those who appreciate their off-kilter rhythms; that is. In Hartley's world; dialogue is often delivered with a straight face; no matter how funny the line or farcical the situation. In Fay Grim; he picks up seven years after Henry Fool left off; but this time the writer/director shifts focus from novelist Henry (Thomas Jay Ryan) to his seemingly scattered wife; Fay (Parker Posey). Their son; Ned (Liam Aiken); is now in his teens; but Henry remains at large; and Fay's "garbage man poet" brother; Simon (James Urbaniak); remains in prison for aiding in his escape. Then two CIA operatives; Fulbright (Jeff Goldblum) and Fogg (Leo Fitzpatrick); inform her that Henry is dead; so Fay agrees to track down his complete set of diaries in exchange for Simon's freedom. Apparently; Henry's incoherent ramblings contain state secrets. Joining forces with stewardess Bebe (Elina L?wensohn); Fay travels from Queens to Paris to Istanbul to fulfill her mission. In the end; Fay Grim resembles Hartley's noir parody Amateur; which featured L?wensohn; more than Henry Fool. It has less to say about talent and celebrity and more about mystery and intrigue. For the filmmaker; it also represents an opportunity to reunite a strong ensemble and to recover; at least for the time being; from a string of disappointments; like No Such Thing and The Girl From Monday. --Kathleen C. Fennessy