What A Masterpiece

Rating: 10/10 (10 March 2012)

Beautiful. Exquisite. Magical.
You'd be forgiven for mistaking seeing these words on a review for a Martin Scorsese film. When it was announced that the Academy-Award winning director was going to direct an adaptation of Brian Selznick's children's picture-novel, it left filmgoers wondering why on Earth would the masterful director of such brutal classics as Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, GoodFellas and The Departed turn his talents to a film for children.
However, when Hugo was released to the world and an entrancing love letter to the history of cinema emerged, the only question on anyone's lips was why on Earth wouldn't he.
Even from the opening shot of the film, as the intricate mechanics of a clock fade into the stunning night streets of Paris, it becomes very obvious that Hugo is far from a career misfire for Scorsese. As the film progresses, it becomes arguable that Hugo might be just be Martin Scorsese's best film yet.
Hugo Cabret (Asa Butterfield, The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas) is a 12-year-old orphan with a love for cinema, who secretly operates the clocks of a Paris train station by day and lives between the walls of the station by night. His late father (Jude Law, Cold Mountain) left behind a broken automaton for the two of them to fix. To complete the puzzle, Hugo needs a heart- shaped key to unlock its message. Unfortunately, that very key is nowhere to be found.
As Robert Richardson's stunning cinematography glides through the platforms, we are introduced to an eclectic group of people, ranging from a sweet flower girl (Emily Mortimer, Shutter Island) to the quiet owner of a bookshop (Christopher Lee, The Lord of the Rings) to Salvador Dali himself (a brief cameo from Ben Addis). Keeping these colourful characters in order is the stern Inspector Gustave (Sacha Baron Cohnen, Borat).
As the story advances, Hugo meets avid book reader Isabelle (Chloë Grace Moretz, Kick Ass) and her mysterious grandfather (Ben Kingsley, Gandhi). No sensible film reviewer would reveal any further details of the adventures of Hugo as he befriends Isabelle and begins his search, but it can be said that their discoveries are enough to bring a tear of joy to the eyes of any true cinephile.
It has been said that, so far in his career, Martin Scorsese has directed. at least one masterpiece per decade. In Hugo, he continues that tradition is perfect style and re- establishes himself as one of cinema's greatest living directors. Bravo.
VERDICT: Both an enthralling mystery and a beautiful love letter to cinema, Martin Scorsese's "Hugo" is a visually stunning and emotionally satisfying nostalgia experience for young and old. Simply magic.