“Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium” (Fox Walden)
Where’s the Magic
In the film “Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium” there is a lead character named Mr. Magorium who is played by Dustin Hoffman. There is also a toy store in the film that could be called an emporium. But the “magic” that is inferred in the term wonder is nowhere to be found. The movie talks about magic and tried to create magic, but talking and doing are two decidedly different things.
The story centers on Molly Mahoney (Natalie Portman) who works as a clerk in Mr. Magorium’s toy store. Molly is an aspiring composer but somehow she just can’t get her symphony completed. Mr. Magorium loves her like a daughter and plans to leave her the toy store when he departs this world.
Trying to get his assets in order, Mr. Magorium hires an accountant named Henry Weston (Jason Bateman). Henry is a by the book person and never sees the “magic” in the store. The only person who is able to break through his shell is Eric (Zach Mills), a ten year old boy who works at the store.
Dustin Hoffman talks with a lisp in this movie and his hair looks like it is electrified. Slap a hat on his head and he could be the “Mad Hatter’s” twin. Portman is elfin in appearance and tries to be the sweet spot in the film, but she just can’t pull it off. You keep wondering how different the movie would be if it had someone of the caliber and charm of Audrey Hepburn in this role. Audrey was magical just by being alive.
Bateman is bland as Henry. In the one scene where he is supposed to put his stuffiness behind him, he just comes off as a bit insane. Mills is cute and precocious as Eric but you keep wondering why this child is allowed to roam the streets and work eight hours a day. He has a mother but she doesn’t appear concerned about any of this.
The film is rated G (as in gooey).
This is a movie that maybe very small children can enjoy. All others will be bored by the fantasy world on the screen. You want to like it because of its sweetness but inside a voice is asking the question, “Where’s the magic”
I scored “Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium” a magic lacking 3 out of 10.
