Lycanlibrarian's Blog

HUGO — A Rave Review December 18, 2011

     Having read and loved the Brian Selznock novel, the Lycan Librarian was very, very excited to see this movie. And for good reason. This is one of those precious and rare cases when the book and movie are both excellent. First, let me boast about the good luck that followed the librarian around this day. Imagine going to a Saturday matinée with a friend. being surrounded with lines of bouncing children, retreating into theater 7, and being the only ones in the space. Strange, but true. Christmas shopping and the array of other kids’ movies being shown left us blissfully alone. No whispering, no rustling of cellophane bags, no coughing or laughing at inappropriate times. Ahhh!
     With or without distractions, this is a film that takes the viewer out of their environment and transports them into its magical world. I had no awareness of being in the theater or in my body. The 3-D was amazing, and all the actors, even the three dogs, were magnificent in their roles.
     This story is about a 12-year-old boy, an orphan who lives in the walls of a Paris train station and secretly keeps the clocks running on perfect time. His story is braided with those of the merchants who sit, daily,  at their booths in the station selling flowers, toys or croissants. But the toy seller is the one whose story is most intriguing, and the lesson found in viewing this fantastic visual treat is that it is never too late to dream, to create, and to live in wonder. Dreamers of all ages will love it.