This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labour of the writers and actors currently on strike, the movie/series/feature being covered here wouldn't exist.
"This is Anderson playing in the world of Roald Dahl and I for one am keen to see more."
BY ELLIOT LINES SEPTEMBER 28, 2023
Wes Anderson has always had an eclectic style of film-making that's not to everyone's liking, but one thing you can't deny him is the interesting stories he puts on the screen. It was 14 years ago that Anderson released Fantastic Mr Fox, based on the Roald Dahl novel, and this is where Anderson returns to. The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar is another of Dahl's stories, that be it targeted at a older audience than his normal work, but with the power of Netflix behind him, Wes Anderson lends his whimsical and strange style to the stories of the same ilk.
The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar is the story of a man who comes across a doctor's journal about "The Man Who Sees Without Using His Eyes". Using this book Henry Sugar decides to use the techniques he learns to be able to see through objects and use the skills to help his gambling hobbies.
The story is told through a host of "narrators" letting the audience know what they are seeing and thinking. At times almost feeling like a audiobook, but with a backdrop to back it up. We've learned from Anderson's previous films that he can use a play or magazine to tell his stories and Henry Sugar is no different. The backdrops act as if a play/film is in progress and almost unfinished. This style lends well to the story that is being told, fitting in perfectly with Dahl's style of writing.
With the likes of Benedict Cumberbatch, Ben Kingsley (I could go on) involved, there is not short of talent on show. Cumberbatch is perfect for the roll of Henry Sugar, giving off that rich person vibe that is mostly at the centre of the story. However, in the moments he's not involved Ben Kingsley and Dev Patel carry us through a time where you need to keep up (and may need a second viewing) to follow the story.
The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar gives you this short sharp story that flies through the run-time, while giving you an injection of Wes Anderson's iconic film-making. This is Anderson playing in the world of Roald Dahl and I for one am keen to see more.
STAR RATING
