Hugo
Continuing to play catch up now that I've finally discarded the albatross that was having to write about New Year's Eve...
I suppose I'm not typically one to make sweeping, definitive statements, but I will say this about Hugo: it was, by far, the most gorgeously shot kids' movie I have ever seen. Easily. Actually, I can probably take the "kids' movie" qualifier off and just say that it was a gorgeous movie to see. Loved the look of it. Typical Marty Scorsese too. In every Scorsese flick I've seen, it's been apparent that he's aiming for a distinct look and feel, and he always nails it. Hugo is more of the same. The bottom line? Scorsese is one hell of a director. How else can you explain a man who can craft equally compelling mob movies, sports epics, documentaries, and kids' flicks. Skilled. Crazy skilled.
And so he is.
Actually, I feel as though I'm being dismissive of Hugo by simply referring to it as a kids' flick. I mean, it certainly should hold a certain appeal for kids. Enough prat falls and child-like notions of "adventure" to hopefully keep kids entranced. Well, if not, there's always the fact that it's a 3D movie. I (of course) did not see it in 3D, and I don't think I missed out on much. Except the headaches. Don't really miss those though. Back to the point... I think that labeling it a children's movie only serves to needlessly limit its appeal. I mean, how many grown, childless adults willingly go see a movie geared towards kids. Not many. And truthfully, I had to convince myself to go to this one. It should have a broader appeal. Anyone who likes skillfully crafted movies should see it. Anyone who fancies themselves a cinephile should go see it. Any Marty fan should definitely see it. And, in fact, anyone who just likes a nice, entertaining story should go see it. Plain and simple, Hugo is just a good movie. Period.
So yeah, the story. The movie follows the exploits of one Hugo Cabret (excellently portrayed by relative newcomer Asa Butterfield), an abandoned orphan living (and working) in the clock tower of the Paris train station. Hugo's father (Jude Law)... a museum curator? (or clock maker... it's been a while and I can't remember)... perished in a tragic fire. His uncle (the former tenant of the clock tower) takes Hugo in and puts him to work... all the better to allow him to drink himself to death. One day, Uncle goes missing, and Hugo's left to tend to the clock tower all by himself. With so much tragedy circling him, what could possibly keep Hugo going? How about a dogged fascination with an automaton discovered by his father before his father passed away? (and really there are only two acceptable reactions to mysterious automatons, dogged fascination or outright fear- those things are creepy). Hugo and his father had spent days, weeks, and months trying to figure out how to fix the automaton and figure out it's purpose. It eventually becomes clear: the machine was designed to write a message, and following the death of Mr. Cabret, Hugo is convinced the secret message the automaton needs to deliver will essentially be a message from his late father. You can understand, then, why Hugo would be obsessed with the creepy-ass machine, it's his last and lasting link to his father. So Hugo simply needs to get the thing working...which means he has to find gears and various other parts...where does he get them? The stations resident toy-seller/magician (Ben Kingsley...doing what he does...which is, of course, delivering a fine performance). When the old man gets wise to Hugo's thievery and finds out why he's been stealing, that's when things get interesting, and adventure ensues... I mean other than the adventure of trying to stay out of the grasp of the station's chief inspector (an overly hammy Sacha Baron Cohen)... who simply can't suffer mooching urchins.
Eventually, Hugo delves into the early history of the film industry, when filmmakers were seen as modern (for the time) magicians. When anything seemed possible-as it still does today- but when that limitless possibility took on a feel of innocent awe... and...child-like wonder. It's this spirit, the spirit of wonder that sits square at the center of the movie. Hugo, in the end, finds himself on a journey of discovery- along with the old magician's niece (a typically fantastic Chloe Grace Moretz) and he meets each new twist and turn with a sense of awe. The refreshing earnestness with which this is portrayed easily won me over. I was in awe right along with Hugo. How incredible it must have been to turn such magic tricks on film. Scorsese is clearly holds the history of his craft with reverence and prompts his audience to feel the same way. Not everyone will, but I was certainly along for the ride.
You know, it doesn't happen often, but every now and again, a movie makes me feel a little like a kid again...or perhaps makes me want to be a kid again. I don't really know if I'm unique, but I rarely feel much longing to be a kid anymore. I enjoy the freedom of adulthood and fully realize that childhood wasn't as simply as nostalgia-laden minds would have you believe. Was it easier on the whole? Yeah sure, but it was limited- necessarily. Why go back to that. Then I see a movie like Hugo and I realize what I do miss about being younger: the ability to be easily amazed. The sense of unbridled adventure...hell, the idea that true adventure did exist. Hugo captures these ideas expertly. I found myself wanting to be Hugo, wishing I could be amazed as completely again. It just doesn't happen that often anymore. Cynicism, jadedness, and, of course, intelligence (on some level) tend to accompany adulthood for better or worse. Amazing things just don't happen anymore... and when they do, I often find myself becoming fixated on why they happen or how, all the while completely forgetting to just sit back and enjoy the moment. And let myself be awed. For me, Hugo essentially served as a much-needed reminder... if not a wake-up call. Find adventure. Be amazed. And- perhaps- above all else, find the kid inside of you and indulge it again. When Hugo and company take that tour through the dawn of movie-making... where the audience could be moved to fear by the sight of a train rushing towards the screen... everyone who takes in the old films- both young and old- find that reason to be amazed again... as did I. These aren't the feats of some silly kids' movie, but the efforts of a crafty cinema wizard at the height of his craft. Well played, Mr. Scorsese, well played.
Grade: A
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