Having read a few short reviews about the film Hugo and one interview with Ben Kingsley, an actor whose work I particularly enjoy watching, I was expecting to see a ‘children’s film’. I was totally unprepared for the beautiful, though-provoking salute to the early days of cinema – a tale of the world of dreams and fantasy.
The opening scenes of the clockwork machinery that keeps the clocks ticking in the Paris station of the film “Hugo” made me think of the contribution to modern life made by Englishman John Harrison in the 18th Century. As depicted in the film, “Longitude”, Harrison invented what is now known as a marine chronometer and the story in the film “Hugo” reminds us of the turmoil and huge changes in the lives of ordinary people that took place in Europe after the end of the First World War. Although we are not told how Hugo’s Mother died, nor indeed of how Isabelle (Hugo’s friend) lost her parents but it could have been in the Influenza Pandemic that claimed so many lives in 1919.
This is a film every film-lover needs to see. Directed by Martin Scorsese and produced by Johnny Depp, with a superb cast including Sir Ben Kingsley, Sir Christopher Lee, Sacha Baron Cohen, Asa Butterfield, Chloe Grace Moretz, Michael Stuhlbarg, Richard Griffiths, Helen McCrory, Emily Mortimer, Ray Winstone and Jude Law it does not merely tell the story of a young orphan looking after the clocks in a 1930s Paris railway station but chronicles, and deftly mirrors, the pioneering work of the very first film-makes from the Lumiere Brothers onwards as well as showing us a snapshot of life in 1930s Paris. The choice of 3D is particularly apt, bearing in mind the work of the first film makers.
To my mind you will need to see the film at least twice in order to catch the delightful nuances such as the feelings of the Station Inspector (played brilliantly with surely a nod to “’Allo ‘Allo” by Sacha Baron Cohen) for the flower seller Lisette (Emily Mortimer) and of the characters of Madame Emilie, played by Frances de la Tour and Monsieur Frick (Richard Griffiths). I particularly appreciated the choice of Frances de la Tour because I loved the delightful 1980s television series “Flickers” which was also about the early film industry.
The Station Inspector, himself an orphan, was badly injured during World War I and needs a caliper on his leg. There is romance, some wonderful canine actors, wonderful music , breath-taking camerawork and a happy ending.
Deservedly nominated for many Awards, this film is a work of genius - I shall be very surprised if “Hugo” does not win them all. Please go and see this amazing film.
As always I had to remain until the end to try to read the names of all those involved in the film. Thank you to all of you – in my view “Hugo” is a masterpiece. To quote from the film “Thank you for the film this afternoon – it was a gift”. A wonderful Christmas Eve gift.
For more information about Hugo the film check out their fantastic website - www.hugomovie.com
The Island Cinema is on South Promenade, St. Annes-on-the-Sea, Lancashire
FY8 1LY. Tel. 01253 725331 - www.theislandcinema.com
For more information about Hugo the film check out their fantastic website - www.hugomovie.com
The Island Cinema is on South Promenade, St. Annes-on-the-Sea, Lancashire
FY8 1LY. Tel. 01253 725331 - www.theislandcinema.com
