Eric D. Snider
Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium
Movie Review
"Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium"
Review by Eric D. Snider
Grade: B+
Rating: G
Released: Friday, November 16, 2007
Directed by:
Cast:
Many elements of "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium" may indeed be swiped from "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," and there's no question it has a terrible title. But I am utterly charmed by its imagination and sweetness, by its clever wizardry and inspired bizarreness -- and by the fact that it never draws attention to its weirder details, preferring to let us notice them (or not) on our own.
Too many films, drunk on their own wackiness, are eager to make sure we know how wacky they are. When a boy in "Mr. Magorium" uses Lincoln Logs to make a life-size statue of Abraham Lincoln, I kept waiting for someone to say it. "Look! It's Lincoln ... made out of Lincoln Logs!" I felt a great smile spread across my face when the scene was over and no one had pointed it out.
I smiled a lot during "Mr. Magorium," and laughed quite a bit, too. The directorial debut of Zach Helm (who also wrote last year's overlooked "Stranger Than Fiction"), this is a curious story of a 243-year-old toy seller (Dustin Hoffman) who, aware of his impending mortality, bequeaths his enchanted store to his clerk, Molly Mahoney (Natalie Portman). But Molly, a once-promising pianist who has let her talents atrophy, is 23 years old and uncertain about her life's path. She's not sure she can handle the emporium on her own.
There's also the matter of the store itself, which is living and full of magic. When you can't find a particular item on the shelves, you pull out the giant book that lists everything the emporium offers -- and then, rather than telling you how to back-order it, the book simply produces the item out of thin air. The store loves Mr. Magorium, who has been its proprietor for 113 years. It rebels at the notion of his departure.
Mr. Magorium brings in an accountant named Henry Weston (Jason Bateman) to go through all his records to determine what the store is worth, in preparation for handing it over to Molly. Henry is a no-nonsense kind of guy who does not believe the store is actually magical. What he does believe -- in fact he is sure of it -- is that Mr. Magorium has been something less than assiduous in maintaining his financial records.
Mr. Magorium has some important questions for Henry to test his accounting skills. He asks, "The number four: Do we really need it?" Henry replies, "If you like squares, you do." Mr. Magorium is satisfied, because he does like squares.
Dustin Hoffman is doing a funny voice and behaving in a very Wonka-esque manner, but I did not find his performance tiresome or overly cute. The character presides over his store like a kindly, eccentric uncle, encouraging kids to play with the toys to their hearts' content, apparently never concerned about actually selling them. He's reminiscent of a Dr. Seuss creation, all quirks and oddness but with a layer of humanity underneath.
The film is about nothing less than life and death -- heady issues for a kids movie, yet handled delicately and profoundly. When Magorium tells Molly, "Your life is an occasion -- rise to it," it comes across as sweet and uplifting, not corny.
It helps that Natalie Portman gives such a smilingly innocent performance, accompanied by young Zach Mills as Eric, a timid 9-year-old boy who counts Molly as his only friend. Eric finds refuge in the emporium's many delights, and eventually cracks the all-business shell on Henry the accountant. These three, Molly, Eric, and Henry, are vulnerable, lovable characters (Bateman is absolutely perfect as the level-headed comic foil), and their story, while set in a whimsical world, is ultimately down-to-earth and believable. If you don't feel happy and buoyant when the film's over, I think you must have watched it wrong.
Grade: B+
Rated G, but it does deal with matters of life and death -- but then again, so did "Bambi"
1 hr., 33 min.
Copyright © Eric D. Snider.
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This item has 11 comments
November 16, 2007 at 8:17 am
I really glad you liked it, Eric. Too many critics went unreasonably "party pooper" on the movie--exhibiting exactly the kind of disillusioned, cynical "maturity" that the film makes its case against.
November 16, 2007 at 11:02 pm
I just saw it this evening and I have to wholeheartedly agree with Eric's review. I was charmed and delighted by the film. Oh, and don't forget to pay attention during the credits. They are almost as fun as the movie.
November 17, 2007 at 7:44 am
I loved this film. There will always be a place for sweet, simple, innocent movies.
November 17, 2007 at 3:08 pm
So, when I say I was charmed and delighted, is that the opposite of shocked and appalled?
November 18, 2007 at 10:56 am
I saw it with my niece and a room full of kids and I absolutely loved it. I'm still not sure if I was trying too hard to love it because I'm an avid hater of Natalie Portman and I wanted to give her a chance.
November 19, 2007 at 2:29 pm
Totally cool to see that others liked "Mr. Magorium.." I really enjoyed it. I would say I happily join you in the minority of those critics who liked the movie. (although I'm only a small-time critic, heheh.)
November 20, 2007 at 1:53 pm
terrible movie. My 3 year old daughter cried most of the movie because no one would give the pitiful sock monkey a hug (which i'm still unsure why it was even in the movie) and my 5 yr old son was way more impressed with the opening previews of Alvin and the Chipmucks and I totally agree.. it is a 0.2 out of 5
November 26, 2007 at 9:18 am
Finally a production worth taking your children (AND YOURSELF) to! The typical kids movie is insulting to the intelligence of children and a drudgery to watch - - movies which ask nothing of children except an hour and a half via talking, dancing, wise-cracking animals. Magorium challenges kids to think and feel and enjoy. I'll see it again and again.
December 10, 2007 at 4:57 am
Before the movie I really had no idea what to expect and knew very little about it. In fact, my only preconceived notion of the movie was that it was a kid’s movie that my three children would enjoy. However, the overall message of the movie was powerful.
Mahoney, an unaccomplished pianist works as a manager for a very unique and successful toy store. She has been there for a while, has feelings that she is getting older and needs to move on, and is interested in pursuing a music career. But, Mr. Magorium has other plans for her. You see, Mr. Mogoruim is very old and is dying so he wants Mahoney to take over the store. Mahoney lacks the self-confidence that she can do it because Mr. Magorium has done such a remarkable job. However, thanks to some help from some friends, when she believes in herself, the store is “magical” once again.
Unfortunately, I think most of us lack confidence and the guts to pursue our dreams with our whole hearts. We often feel inadequate, and question our own abilities and talents. Too often we listen to cynics and critics that would have us be less then what we have the potential to become. In the movie, we see that doubt leads to disappointment and sadness as well as a very gloomy and dark toy store however, when we believe in ourselves, there is joy and hope and the toy store is bright, alive, and magical again. This message is one we all can take to heart and strive to learn.
Just as Mahoney in the movie learned to believe in herself—that she could in fact run a successful and magical toy store—so too can we learn that we can be magical in our own lives. Anything is possible when you believe.
December 13, 2007 at 7:18 pm
If you have nothing negative to say about the movie, why a B+ and not an A or even A-? I assume it is demoted because it doesn't make you feel sophisticated when you watch it, or clever for being able to appreciate it, but if so, is that really a valid reason? Then again, I suppose there IS a difference between a "twinkie for the mind" and a truly deep, artful presentation. However, might it still not be considered an 'A' children's movie, even if it's not an 'A' movie in general...?
December 16, 2007 at 7:45 am
I liked the movie , but did not understand it well!, i started to cry at the part when Mr Magorium died and said "goodbye my lovely" , i thought it had a great main message"believe in yourself" i would rate this film 7 out of 10.