HUGO: review & just released trailers
January 10th 2012 12:02
I saw HUGO recently, it is Martin Scorsese's first foray into a children's film, and it is an absolute masterpiece!
Although 126 minutes long, it flies by as you become totally engrossed in this amazing world, but it is not just the beautiful look of the film, it is the depth given to the main character, the boy Hugo, and his furtive interaction with life, in fear filled fast forays from his secret world, within the very structure of the Paris railway station, the hidden gangways leading to the clocks, Hugo must steal food from cafes, get parts for his project and dodge the mean spirited, child hating station inpsector and his Doberman dog.
Initially I found the character of the train station inspector, played by Sasha Baron Cohen, rather annoying, mainly due to his 'comic' accent, but in the end he grows on you, particularly when we see his weaknesses.
Asa Butterfield’s performance in the title role is sure footed, as he deftly plays with naturalism. His performance is enriched by a brilliant support cast; Ben Kingsley as Georges Méliès, the gruff old toy store owner on the station platform, from whom Hugo constantly steals clockwork cogs and mechanical oddments, then there is Chloë Grace Moretz, as the incredibly well read, intelligent and sensitive Isabelle (goddaughter of Georges Méliès), who becomes Hugo’s friend.
A brief but memorable performance by Ray Winstone, as Hugo's drunken Uncle Claude, who is master of the train station clocks, begins with his sudden appearance at Hugo's home, to tell Hugo very bad news. Orphaned, the crassly avuncular drunkard then takes Hugo under his alchohol sodden wing and teaches Hugo his job, keeping the clocks running on time, then he disappears.
Hugo now lives alone within the secret places of the station, where he divides his time between keeping the clocks on time and trying to fix the automaton. Emily Mortimer, as Lisette, plays the world weary wife of Georges Méliès, Christopher Lee as Monsieur Labisse, plays the delightfully reserved, yet kindly, bookshop owner who encourages the children to read.
Then there is Martin Scorsese himself, who appears in a brief cameo as a photographer; the list goes on and on, with a rich troupe of talented incidental characters, all of whom bring their glimmering moment to life, each adding substance to this engrossing, and most surprising film.
Why surprising? You will have to see for yourself; for what starts out as a quest to finish one thing, Hugo’s passion to fix an automaton that his father unsuccessfully tried to fix before he unexpectedly died, turns an amazing corner towards the end of the film, leaving one enlightened and delighted, in equal measure.
Based on the book The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick, the screenplay is by the amazing John Logan (Coriolanus, Rango, The Aviator, Gladiator) whose multi-nominated and award winning scripts (let alone his award winning stage plays) maintain great depth, sensitivity and power, and HUGO reveals he has continued developing his extraordinary talent.
Without having seen all the competition, so far, I say Logan deserves the Oscar™ for this screenplay.
The film score, by multi-award winning composer Howard Shore, heightens the drama rather than intrudes upon it. The Production Design, by Dante Ferretti, Costume Design by Sandy Powell and Set Decoration by Francesca Lo Schiavo all properly embellish the environment and mood of the story, which is set in 1930, in Paris.
This film will enthral more mature children (probably 8 up) and adults alike.
Running Time: 126mins.
Rated: PG (Mild Themes)
IMAGE CREDITS AND PERMISSIONS:
All images and trailers copyright presumed that of Production company and/or Distributor and Publisher, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Images used here for review purposes only, low res copies not meant for redistribution.
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