Review of Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (2007) by Chads. — 16 Jan 2008
Even in the movies where anything is possible, laying down a bubblewrap dancefloor as a preventive measure against suicidal tendencies doesn't work, much to Molly's dismay as Mr. Magorium(Dustin Hoffman) pops, pops, pops away; happier, but still harboring a death wish underneath all that crazy hair.
Like his character in "Rainman", Mr. Magorium is a one-note performance, but this time Hoffman doesn't delight, he grates on our ears. That lisp, in concert with the toymaker's whimsical outlook on life, doesn't out-crazy Gene Wilder's performance in "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", but it comes close.
Before his rapture for one, Mr. Magorium wants Molly(Natalie Portman) to run the toy store. His charge used to be a promising pianist, but this film contends that the music of life is a higher calling, which makes "Mr.
Magorium's Wonder Emporium" a sort of evil "Mr. Holland's Opus". Despite the happy ending, the film never resolves Molly's dream of being a famous composer. She's the hero.
She brings the toy store back to life. But Molly is only a conduit for that block of wood Mr. Magorium entrusted to her. Now Molly's post-graduate rut is official: She's never leaving Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium.
This review of Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (2007) was written by Chads. on 16 Jan 2008.
Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium has generally received mixed reviews.
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