Martin Scorsese loves film, and this is one of the his most heartfelt love letters to it. In Hugo, (based on the novel “the Invention of Hugo Cabret” by Brian Selznick) we follow a poor orphan (Asa Butterfield) who lives inside the walls of a Paris train station in the 1930’s, and is involved in a series of mysteries, while trying to fix an automaton discovered by his late father. The opening credits sequence immerses you into his world from frame one: from the grimness of the tight inner walls he habitates, with giant clock engine’s, silence and smoke (reflecting on Hugo’s solitude), to the main station public area, where everything becomes hectic, between people rushing to catch the train, loud noises and the constant instigation of the station’s inspector (Sacha Cohen) who is always pursuing orphans to send away. The film also stars Ben Kingsley, as a toy salesman at the station and Chloe Meretz, (Kick-Ass) who plays his niece.
This movie feels at all times like we are inside of a beautiful illustrated book: the station is a micro-cosmos on itself, with many different characters whose interactions Hugo can see from every window like he is its own eyes, and while the inside of the walls is dark and metal cold, the outside is full of color and movement, on a delicious palette of blues and sepias that ad to the magic of it. Also you can see here how much fun Scorsese is having with the 3D (he said recently on an interview he still watches old 3D films with red-and-blue glasses), and the results are magnificent. He move us through giant engine wheels, he locate us at the top of a a giant clock with gorgeous views of Paris, and throw stuff at us, yes, but in a way that feels entertaining and innovative, I wish more directors were capable of doing so. And (without spoiling anything) Georges Melies work makes an appearance here that just set my imagination on fire during some of those scenes. The acting is outstanding, specially from both Kingsley (who never disappoints in my book) and Butterfield, who has the bluest and most expressive eyes I’ve seen since Elijah Wood. Chloe Meretz is incredibly charming, and just keeps showing how big her range can be at her young age.
In Hugo Martin Scorsese plays his game at his best, this time without guns or violence, just an incredibly charming story told in a complete engaging way, using a technique (3D) in a way we haven’t seen before and reaches its true potential. This movie inspired me and remind me why I love film so much, through the eyes of a director that not only loves it as well, but it’s a master in its creation.
Can’t wait to see this film. Very interested to see how the Goodfellas director approaches a family/kids film.
I think this is the most enjoyable Scorsese film. No guns and violence for once, and one w/ a touching message. It’s got a bit of a slow start, but halfway through it started to pick up and got better and better.