Reactions to Wes Anderson films seem to be getting more divided. If you look at review aggregator sites, you’ll see that opinions on his last film, Asteroid City, and the one before, The French Dispatch, are spread far apart. This increasing division may be a natural consequence of familiarity breeding both contempt and sated pleasure. What one viewer may love about Anderson’s films, such as the whimsy, the intricate design in every detail, the large ensemble casts, plentiful voiceovers, and complex narratives, could be another viewer’s poison.
One recent film that showcases Anderson’s unique style is The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar. This film, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival and was released on Netflix, received positive reviews for its small but perfectly crafted nature. Even those who are not fans of Anderson may find this film more digestible due to its brevity of only 40 minutes. The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar contains most of Anderson’s signature flavor notes, but they are presented in a well-balanced and clarified manner.
This film is an adaptation of a short story by British writer Roald Dahl, who is known for his children’s literature. While Anderson previously adapted Dahl’s Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar is based on a Dahl short story aimed at adults. Anderson’s adaptation remains faithful to the original text while incorporating his distinctive visual style. The film’s narrative structure, with multiple stories intertwining, is a recurring feature in Anderson’s films, but Dahl’s original text was written in this way.
The film begins with Ralph Fiennes, star of The Grand Budapest Hotel, portraying Dahl himself in the writer’s own writing hut. Fiennes introduces the story of Henry Sugar, played by Benedict Cumberbatch, a seemingly ordinary British aristocrat. Henry stumbles upon a handwritten account by an Indian doctor named Z.Z. Chatterjee, played by Dev Patel, about a man named Imdad Khan, portrayed by Ben Kingsley. Khan claims to be able to see without his eyes and proves his ability to the skeptical doctors, including Richard Ayoade, by correctly identifying the number of fingers someone is holding up and riding a bike blindfolded.
As the narrative unfolds, the film takes the viewers through different stories, including Khan and the yogi’s experiences in the jungle. The film creates a visually stunning representation of the jungle using stage props and animated miniature tigers. Eventually, the story returns to Henry Sugar, who decides to use this ability to make a fortune at casinos. However, the process of learning the craft changes him, and he realizes that the journey itself is more important than the destination. This theme of valuing the process over the outcome is a common element in many of Anderson’s films.
The meticulous attention to detail in Anderson’s films is evident in The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar. Every prop, from leather books to elegantly piped pajama tops, is precisely designed and choreographed. The film also utilizes in-camera tricks, such as levitation achieved through a mirrored box. Alexandre Desplat’s rhythmic score complements the film’s visual elements. While some viewers may find this attention to detail overwhelming, fans appreciate the exquisite orderliness of Anderson’s miniature universe. If Asteroid City was a rich 20-course tasting menu, The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar can be seen as a deliciously calibrated amuse-bouche.
In summary, reactions to Wes Anderson films have become more divided. The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar exemplifies Anderson’s distinctive style and received positive reviews for its small yet perfectly crafted nature. The film stays true to Roald Dahl’s original short story while incorporating Anderson’s unique visual style. The narrative structure, involving multiple interconnected stories, is a recurring feature in Anderson’s films. The film explores the importance of valuing the process over the outcome, and Anderson’s meticulous attention to detail is evident throughout. Whether viewers embrace or despise Anderson’s style, The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar provides a well-balanced and digestible cinematic experience.