Movie Review: Hugo (2011)

Year: 2011
Director: Martin Scorsese
Writer: John Logan (Based upon the novel "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" by Brian Selznick)
Stars: Sasha Baron Cohen
Ben Kingsley
Chloe Moretz
Asa Butterfield

Where to start with this film, that somehow almost completely escaped the movie-going public last year? I mean, it's a kid's film in 3-D directed by Martin Scorsese and co-starring Sasha Baron Cohen. How the heck was this not a huge runaway hit?

Well to start with, the movie is clever and well-written. I realize that's a problem with modern films, especially kid films, where the height of cleverness seems to be poop jokes. It is refreshingly devoid of potty humor. The cleverness even extends to the title, and the lead character's name, Hugo. Hugo is a boy who is persecuted by a train station security guard. The novel "Les Miserables" by Victor HUGO is about a man named Jean Valjean who is persecuted by a police officer. And there isn't a wasted scene in the film. For instance, early in the film, Hugo and his friend Isabelle (Chloe Moretz, who was wonderful as Hit Girl in "Kick Ass") watch the silent film "Safety Last" where Harold Lloyd dangles above New York City from the hands of a clock, and later Hugo dangles from the hands of a clock over Paris.

And what about the cast? In addition to those listed above (in order that they appeared on the movie poster), it also stars Christopher Lee, Ray Winstone, Emily Mortimer, Michael Stuhlbarg, Jude Law and Richard Griffiths, all of whom turn in outstanding performances. Moretz in particular made me wonder in this film if she's a British girl who gave a heck of an American accent in "Kick Ass" or an American girl who gave a heck of a British accent in "Hugo". Turns out that she's from Texas. Good job, Ms. Moretz. You should have been awarded an oscar for your performance here.

The basic story is about an orphan named Hugo Cabret who lives in a Paris train station early in the 20th century. He spends his life trying to escape the clutches of the train security guard (Sasha Baron Cohen) and a toymaker from whom he has stolen clockworks to rebuild a mechanical man that his father (Jude Law) bought from a museum. The toymaker, to whom we are introduced as "Papa Georges" is played by Ben Kingsley. (Minor spoiler alert!) The toymaker turns out to be filmmaker and magician Georges Melies, and is the godfather and guardian of Isabelle (Moretz).

THE GOOD: Just about everything. The film is amazing. Coming from Scorsese, this shouldn't be a big surprise, but the film also turns out to be a love letter to movies, especially the films of the silent era when the film takes place. The writing, directing (of course), music and special effects are all excellent. It made me want to read the book, which i had never heard of before this.

THE BAD: Only peripherally attached to the film, i would like to see Sasha Baron Cohen do more films like this or Sweeney Todd where he is really able to stretch his legs as an actor and (in Sweeney Todd) a singer. When he gets the reigns of a film, he basically does the same movie over and over. Borat, Bruno and The Dictator are all basically the same film with different lead characters. I enjoyed Borat, couldn't watch all of Bruno and have no interest in The Dictator. Mr. Cohen, you are better than this. PLEASE stop repeating yourself. You're basically turning into the Stephen King of cinema.

THE UGLY: I will never understand why American actors choose to affect a British accent in films about France simply because you are surrounded by British actors. The same thing happened in the excellent film "Quills". The main difference is that the American actor in "Quills", Joachim Phoenix, gave a broad, unbelievably bad British accent, while the American actress in "Hugo", Chloe Moretz, gives an excellent accent. You are supposed to be speaking FRENCH, which, like most languages, has a variety of accents.

The upshot? Watch this movie. Especially if you're a film lover. Watch it with your kids. It's a GREAT movie.

Peace.

Randal