Seems
like Harry Potter might have the market cornered so far as ‘magic’
is concerned these days; but he doesn’t have a monopoly
on wonder, if this engaging film from first-time director Zach
Helm is anything to go by. Indeed, Mr Magorium’s Wonder
Emporium is arguably all the more wondrous because it’s
not set in a Gothic castle or far-away fantasy land; but in
an ordinary street, in an ordinary city. Of course, as the name
suggests, Mr Magorium’s store in that ordinary street
is anything but ordinary.
Helm's name may be familiar as the screenwriter of Stranger
than Fiction; but for his first directorial effort (which
he also wrote, incidentally), he’s chosen to craft a tale
of joy and heartache that should resonate with a wide audience.
Along the way, he creates the most fabulous toy store in the
world, and places the eccentric 243-year old Mr Magorium (Dustin
Hoffman) in charge. There are elements of Charlie and the
Chocolate Factory here in the brightly-coloured whimsical
world that Helm and his cast create; but he avoids the black
edges of that particular film.
Mr Magorium has run his marvellous toy store for as long as
anyone can remember. Cramped between two skyscrapers, his toys
really are magical – in the literal sense. Balls bounce
themselves, slinkys run backwards, the laws of gravity don’t
apply to flying toys and balsa wood dinosaurs roam the shop.
In this chaos, the child-like Mr Magorium’s only link
with the ‘real’ world is his store manager, Molly
Mahoney (Natalie Portman), an aspiring musician who loves Mr
Magorium like a father, but wonders whether there’s something
more for her. Everything seems to be going quite swimmingly,
until Mr Magorium announces that he wants to bring in an accountant.
The accountant chosen, Henry Weston (Jason Bateman) is as bland
as expected. His arrival however disturbs Molly; and the reason
soon becomes apparent. Mr Magorium is ‘leaving’,
which is his way of saying he’s not going to be living
any more.
The
thing that makes Mr Magorium’s Wonder Emporium
stand out is that it’s not your regular kids’ movie.
There are ideas and themes going on here that will challenge
kids (and adults, for that matter). But it also maintains a
shiny veneer and such an amiable approach to the material, that
even children too young to understand what’s going on
will be kept amused. For adults too, it offers something magical
– the sheer joy of being a kid again.
Things however do become a bit treacly (not to mention, teary)
towards the end, so take some tissues. Helm also can’t
quite sustain things throughout and the pace sags in the middle
third. But these are relatively minor quibbles with a film that
tries very hard to please.
As the amiable toy retailer, Dustin Hoffman gives a performance
that belies his own years. Of course, part of the point of the
story is that Mr Magorium is a kind of big kid who hasn't grown
up (as opposed to growing old), and Hoffman embraces that with
both hands. Natalie Portman as his loyal but troubled sidekick
is a nice foil for him, and isn’t shamed in the comparison.
Justin Bateman strikes mostly right notes as Henry the accountant;
while the cute factor is supplied by Zach Mills as Eric, an
awkward child befriended by Molly and Magorium.
Mr Magorium’s Wonder Emporium is a sweet story
presented in a shiny wrapper with great verve by Helm and his
cast. OK, it gets a little hokey at times, but you have to expect
that with this kind of film. It may not be perfect, but this
is a real little treat for the holiday season.
