A magical tale from a master director

Rating: 8/10 (7 December 2014)

It's not often that a film manages to appeal to the twin demographics of children and film buffs. And yet this is exactly what Hugo does. Nor would you normally use words like 'innocent' and 'magical' to describe one of the works of Martin Scorsese, of Taxi Driver and Goodfellows fame. And yet these are the words that best describe it. For as crazy as the very idea of Scorsese making a children's movie may seem, he has created one of the most magical and innocent in years. And in doing so he has also written a heartfelt lover letter to cinema itself.
Hugo, the title character, has lived within the walls of Paris's largest train station, stealing food and spare parts and winding the clocks since being orphaned years before. His only link to his father is a mysterious humanoid automaton that he has spent years trying to repair. But when he befriends ---, the daughter of a elderly toymaker, they discover that her father is none other than legendary silent film director George Melies*. And in his quest to uncover the old man's secret and remind him of his purpose, Hugo may find a place and a purpose of his own.
The first thing I noticed about this film was its childlike, old fashioned innocence and curiosity. There is no language, crude humor, or double ententes. Despite being an orphan and a thief, Hugo is unfailingly polite and displays none of the jaded cynicism one might expect. His status as an orphan may be a reason for sympathy, occasionally pity, but the movie doesn't allow itself to dwell on his misfortunes. The only maudlin touch is that if he's caught by the bumbling, child hating station master (played by Sacha Baron Cohan of Borat fame) he'll be sent to the dreaded orphanage, where he'll presumably have to scrub floors and live a hard knocks life. Sorry, I couldn't resist.
And everything that he and *what's her name* do has the air of a grand quest about it. As they climb through the innards of massive clocks, dodge the inspector, and sneak past her godfather, you can't help but smile at their wide eyed curiosity and sense of adventure. Even something as simple as meeting an elderly bookseller feels like something special, especially for those old enough to recognize him. And when the automaton is repaired and carries out the task for which it was built, things start to become truly magical as the story delves into the director's first love- film.
Our protagonists, and by extension the audience, delve into the history of motion pictures beginning with the *Lumiere* brothers first showing of Train Arriving at the Station. Then come firsthand accounts of Melies's exploits, of the hundreds of silent films he produced, directed, and starred in. Adults, even those familiar with the subject, will likely find much they didn't know. And children will be delighted by the bright colors and strange costumes, the mermaids, aliens, and knights. And best of all is the actual footage from Melies's films. They may not have the same impact now as when they were first released, but they still hold a captivating whimsy and otherworldliness.
Hugo is indeed a magical and powerful film. In telling the story of one orphan boy, it explores the power of human dreams and imagination, our need for purpose, and the origins of the medium through which it is told. Few grown up films go so deeply into so many themes, and for a children's film to do so is simply astounding. This is one movie that I highly recommend to viewers of all ages.