Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium

Directed by: Zach Helm
Starring: Natalie Portman, Zach Mills, Dustin Hoffman, Jason Bateman
Running Time: 1h 33min

Marketed as a children's film, stylized like a Willy Wonky wannabe, Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium does have a lot of heart and magic to offer its audience, if only it could decide on just exactly who that audience is.

Hoffman plays the titular role of an old crazy coot who owns a magical toy store, employing the youthful and whimsical Portman since high school, and welcoming an odd, borderline autistic child, played by Mills, each day. Mr. Magorium (a name simply created just so it could rhyme with emporium) is ready to pass the store onto his protege, much to her chagrin and disbelief.

The theme surrounding never growing up and refusing to face the harsh realities of this world by trusting in the magical and surreal is about all this film shares with the world of Willy Wonka. It lacks the humour of Dahl's stories, though it tries desperately to be funny. Hoffman comes off as more of a creepy codger close to dementia, than a fantastical purveyor of magic and wonderment. His choice of body language and voice, normally so spot on in every film role he chooses, just seems discomforting to both he and the audience.

Mills, as the precocious boy who somehow has greater privileges and responsibilities at the store, and apparently an absentee mother who exists solely as a disciplinarian, devoid of any love for her child, is both irritating and grating. His line delivery is so sad, his earnestness so sickening, that if i were a young person watching this film, i would totally disengage, as i would not wish for him to be the conduit with whom i interpret the film.

Rather, it is Portman and Bateman's characters who steal the show, making the aforementioned characters seem more like window dressing. Both actors continue to prove that they can do no wrong, excelling in both great films (Closer and Juno, respectfully) and even poor films (Star Wars and The Ex, regrettably). They have an odd sort of chemistry that suits the film's direction perfectly, and they truly inhabit the dilemma we have, growing old and losing that part of us that lets us believe in magic and the unexplainable. With Portman's character, that crux is tied to believing in oneself, and in conjunction with Bateman's plot line, explores how we tend to lose ourselves in our daily lives, forgetting what life was once like when we were kids.

This message is wonderfully relayed, with just enough sentiment and conflict, that most adults will be hard pressed to not feel warm and fuzzy after viewing this film. Which brings me back to my original point. Had this film been marketed for adults, it surely would have failed, as it's subject matter would come across as too light and fluffy to attract serious moviegoers. However, as a kids film, it just doesn't entertain enough. Sure, there's a ridiculous amount of pratfalls and runaway animals attacking people, but these scenes seem hokey and forced amongst the real heart of the film. A heart which 10 year olds just won't quite understand, as they are the exact embodiment of what the film wishes we could all yearn for, that child like wonder in our grown up years. By shooting for all things, Mr. Magorium really misses the mark, even if it has a wonderful core we can all root for.

Grade: C+