Hugo

Hugo is a metamorphosis of a film transforming from a story of a lonely orphan boy into a tribute to one of cinema’s first filmmakers, Georges Melies. From the opening shot you know that you are in a magical place and if you are patient and watch closely, something wonderful and amazing will happen. Hugo, played by Asa Butterfield, is an intelligent boy who lives in the Paris train station. When his father died, he was taken in by his loutish, alcoholic uncle (Ray Winstone) who worked in the station as a technician winding all the intricate clocks. He taught Hugo how to do his job so he could lie around all day and drink. He also furnished him with a long forgotten apartment within the station’s attic. Here Hugo could stay out of sight and management would be none the wiser.

Throughout his day Hugo would navigate the ceilings, walls and tunnels of the railway station watching the regulars and getting to know their routines. In secret he became familiar with all of them especially the station inspector (Sasha Baron Cohen). The inspector has a penchant for rounding up orphans and sending them directly to the workhouse. Hugo avoids the inspector at all costs and only enters the public when necessary. At night, when alone, he works on an automaton that he and his father were restoring before his death. The robot was discovered forgotten in a museum storeroom and Hugo and his father were repairing him.

When Hugo’s uncle suddenly disappears, Hugo must start taking more and more risks by venturing into the station. By winding the clocks, everyone will assume that the technician is still on the job, but in order to survive Hugo starts stealing food and supplies. He also zeros in on a local toy maker and begins to steal parts for his automaton. The meticulous toy maker is on to him though and lays a trap to apprehend him. This is where the film morphs into another kind of story and both are equally fascinating.

Ben Kingsley plays the filmmaker Georges Melies and Chloe Grace Moretz portrays Isabelle, Melies’ young charge. When Hugo becomes upset over the loss of his father’s notebook, Isabelle becomes his ally and the two entreat Melies to give it back. The discovery of who Melies is and what he has done drives the remainder of the film. And as a cinema lover, I for one was enchanted. Not only do we get to share in the ecstasy of watching Isabelle’s face view her first film we also get to see the bittersweet moment when Mamma Jeanne (Helen McCrory) sees herself on the screen after years of believing their films were lost. Both of these moments spoke directly to me. I really love this film.

As a family entertainment some people may say that this movie is too long, complicated or slow, but I disagree. Not that it’s long or slow, but I disagree that that’s a bad thing. This film will defiantly enchant young viewers and it will educate them as well. They may get a little squirmy and lose focus now and then but the film will soon recapture them. As a lover of cinema and to illustrate Melies’ genius Martin Sorcsese incorporates many clips from his films. Adults and children as well will be amazed by the whimsical special effects that he created. Melies was an innovator and a pioneer and this movie is a tribute to his contribution. Let his magic capture your heart. Hugo is very special film.

Rating: Must See A film about love and cinema