This article was originally posted Scott’s personal blog, Morsels of Media.
Cast: Asa Butterfield, Chloe Grace Moretz, Ben Kingsley, Sacha Baron Cohen, Emily Mortimer, Christopher Lee, Helen McCrory, Richard Griffiths, Frances de la Tour, Ray Winstone, Jude Law.
Director: Martin Scorcese
What’s the story?
Hugo (Butterfield) lives in a train station overseeing the running of the station’s clocks after his Uncle (Winstone) disappears. He’s later discovered drowned which means Hugo must take care of himself, as well as hide from sadistic station master (Cohen). He spends his days fixing an automaton bought by his recently deceased father (Law) and unlocking secrets belonging to Papa Georges (Ben Kingsley) with the help of Isabelle (Moretz) and bookstore owner, (Christopher Lee).
Is it good?
Of course, it’s good..it’s Scorcese! This was a very different film for Scorcese, it’s one for the family. It picked up lots of nominations and subsequent wins at the big awards ceremonies and it’s not hard to see why. This was Scorcese’s first 3D film and just looks fabulous. It’s evocative of the period and is probably the first film where I saw a noticeable difference from a film being filmed in 3D.
The story zips along at beautiful pace with pathos and humour. The performances are a joy with the children more than equalling their adult counterparts. I’d be surprised if even the most cynical of cinema goer was not won over by the plight of Hugo Cabret.
What’s wrong with it?
Not much, really. Sacha Baron Cohen’ Station Master is too hammed up and doesn’t sit well alongside the other more ‘real’ performances.
Verdict
It’s a joyous film, from start to finish. It’s quite a change of direction for Scorcese so it may not be for his current fan base but it will find him a new fan base and that’s something a film director should never complain about!
