“The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar” is a 40-minute movie directed by Wes Anderson, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, with Ralph Fiennes, Dev Patel, Ben Kingsley, Rupert Friend and Richard Ayoade.
If you are not familiar with Wes Anderson, a cult director if there ever was one, this is a great opportunity to be captivated by his unique way of making films. If you adore him, it’s another chance to love him even more. If you detest him, then run away as fast as you can.
And if you find yourself in that situation where you want to discover a new facet of this director, “The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar” is not the most original work in his career, as it explores and repeats the successes of other films like the recent “Asteroid City”.
Same aesthetic with equally aesthetic results in a medium-length film that lasts only 40 minutes.
However, if you find this filmmaker a bit tiresome, this film has the perfect running time, as it will not come across as overwhelming.
Synopsis
A wealthy man who goes by the name of Henry Sugar, and happens to be an avid gambler, learns of a spiritual teacher who possesses an exceptional, the ability to see despite having his eyes bandaged. Driven by a desire to gain an unfair advantage in gambling, this rich individual sets out on a quest to acquire this distinctive ability.
Review of “The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar”
More of the same from Wes Anderson: multiple characters narrating a story that is tad bit eccentric, more or less charming, and that, without offending anyone, focuses on an elaborate production to delight us with a number of meta jokes (i.e. film related jokes).
An exceptional cast, as usual, for a far-fetched story that, in the style of a vaudeville, changes narrators and adapts a Roald Dahl tale to Wes Anderson’s peculiar style, which seems to suggest that whether Roald Dahl had written the script or if it had been an adaptation of S. King’s “The Shining,” both films would end up resembling “The Grand Budapest Hotel”.
Either way, it is difficult not to try to repeat successes and, above all, for an acclaimed director not to resemble himself too much. Wes Anderson, like his cast, is brilliant in his style, production, and aesthetic formulation.
“The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar” is another example (among many) of this.
Nothing new.
Movie Trailer
Director
Wesley Wales Anderson (born May 1, 1969) is an American filmmaker. His films are known for their symmetry, eccentricity and distinctive visual and narrative styles, and he is cited by some critics as a modern-day example of the auteur. Three of his films, The Royal Tenenbaums (2001), Moonrise Kingdom (2012), and The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) appeared in BBC Culture’s 2016 poll of the greatest films since 2000. Read more
The Cast
Benedict Timothy Carlton Cumberbatch, born on July 19, 1976, is an accomplished English actor. He has made a name for himself on both the screen and stage, earning numerous accolades throughout his career. Some of his notable achievements include a Primetime Emmy Award, a British Academy Television Award, and a Laurence Olivier Award. Cumberbatch received the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Play for his performance in Frankenstein, and he won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie for his portrayal of Sherlock. He has also garnered acclaim for his roles in the dramas The Imitation Game (2014) and The Power of the Dog (2021), which resulted in nominations for prestigious awards such as the Academy Award, BAFTA Award, Screen Actors Guild Award, and Golden Globe Award, all in the category of Best Actor in a Leading Role. Additionally, his portrayal of the titular character in the miniseries Patrick Melrose earned him a BAFTA TV Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role. Read more
Ralph Nathaniel Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes, born on December 22, 1962, is an accomplished English actor, film producer, and director. He has been a dedicated ambassador for UNICEF UK since 1999. Fiennes initially gained recognition for his exceptional performances on stage at the Royal National Theater, where he showcased his talent as a Shakespearean actor. He made his debut in the film industry by portraying Heathcliff in Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights. Read more
