The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar: Movie Review
Wes Anderson’s recent flick, The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar is a brilliant adaptation of Roald Dahl’s short story.
Roald Dahl is well-known for his imaginative and whimsical storytelling, and “The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar” is no exception. Published in 1977, this short story is a departure from Dahl’s more famous children’s books like “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and “Matilda.”
Dahl’s wit and Anderson’s colorful cinematography together bring a beautiful experience for you.
The best part about the movie is that it only has five actors, or shall I say five extremely talented actors. Anderson pulled off such a brilliant ensemble which includes Ralph Fiennes, Ben Kingsley, Benedict Cumberbatch, Dev Patel and Richard Ayoade.
The story follows the life of Henry Sugar, a wealthy and bored man who stumbles upon a book that claims to teach its readers how to see without using their eyes. Intrigued by the promise of this unusual skill, Henry becomes obsessed with mastering it. After months of dedicated practice, he finally succeeds in seeing through playing cards, which enables him to win huge sums of money at a casino.
However, as Henry becomes more skilled at his new ability, he begins to question the ethics of his actions and the consequences of using his powers for personal gain. This internal moral struggle forms the crux of the story.
“The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar” explores themes of greed, morality, and the pursuit of self-improvement. It challenges you to consider the ethical implications of acquiring special talents and whether they should be used for personal gain or for the greater good.
Dahl’s storytelling along with Anderson’s color scheme is as captivating as ever, drawing audience into Henry’s world and making them ponder the choices he makes. The story is both thought-provoking and entertaining, with a satisfying twist at the end.
In conclusion, “The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar” is a thought-provoking and engaging adaptation of Roald Dahl’s story, a marvelous attempt by Wes Anderson that explores complex moral questions while maintaining the author’s trademark style. You can watch it on Netflix to enjoy Dahl’s unique blend of imagination and moral reflection with Anderson’s beautiful sets.
