Hugo

For my first blog back I am going to discuss my favorite film of the year Hugo. Directed by Martin Scorsese, Hugo is a 3D children’s mystery film with an incredible twist I did not anticipate. With all the movie news today its hard to go see a film and be surprised, I actively did look up any information hoping not to ruin the movie and I am glad I did. The film revolves around a young boy named Hugo, sympathetically played by Asa Butterfield, who lives in the walls of the train station. Hugo attempts to steal from toy shop owner Georges, played by Sir Ben Kingsley, in order to get a part he needs to help fix an automaton, a clockwork robot. Georges catches young Hugo and forces him to empty his pockets, one item being a notebook full of specs for the automaton. When Georges inspects the notebook he is greatly disturbed, he takes it and tells Hugo to leave. Hugo leaves this interaction in tears, begging for his notebook back. Hugo begins to try to get his notebook back enlisting the help of Geoges goddaughter Isabelle, played by my favorite young actress Cloe Grace Moretz (see Kick Ass Review), over time the pair learn that Georges has a secret past, and the audience learns Hugo’s. Throughout the film young Hugo must avoid being captured by the station inspector played by Sasha Baron Cohen. Before this film I thought that Cohen with his characters like Borat might be a passing fad, but after his expert comedic performance in the film, I feel he may the next Jim Carrey. Cohen’s Character also has a crush on a lovely florist played by the under recognized Emily Mortimer, Cohen’s awkward attempts to converse with Mortimer are a highlight of the film. As the mystery unfolds you learn the tragic history of both Georges and Hugo and how the automaton ties them together, leading them both to a tearfully happy ending. I must confess that I not only saw this film three times, but is the only film this year that brought me to tears, though Buck was close. The film is historical fiction based on the book “The Invention of Hugo Cabret” tying directly into the early history of motion pictures. Scorsese’s long shots look perfect in 3D, and he shows he is a true master in how he is able to convey so much story without a single word. I would go as far as to say that a good quarter of the film is without a script. I am almost at a loss for words in describing this movie as it hits me in so many ways, as a child, a cinemaphile, man looking at my past, and as lover of Scorsese films. I am truly in love with this movie, there are probably faults in the film but I am unfortunately unable to see them. I recommend this film to all, and it may be the best children’s film of the century.