Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Ted Ludzik | ... | Bellini, the Bookbuilder | |
Natalie Portman | ... | Molly Mahoney, The Composer | |
Zach Mills | ... | Eric Applebaum, the Hat Collector | |
Dustin Hoffman | ... | Mr. Edward Magorium, Avid Shoe-Wearer | |
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Madalena Brancatella | ... | Jessica, Who Got a Cowboy Hat |
Paula Boudreau | ... | Brenda, Who Wants a Mobile | |
Mike Realba | ... | Dave Wolf, Who's an Engineer | |
Steve Whitmire | ... | Kermit the Frog (voice) | |
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Liam Powley-Webster | ... | Andy, the Boy Who Likes to Color |
Marcia Bennett | ... | Lora, Who Wants a Fire Engine | |
Jason Bateman | ... | Henry Weston, the Mutant | |
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Oliver Masuda | ... | Jordan, Who Said Hi |
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Samantha Harvey | ... | Cassie, the Girl Chased by a Goose |
Jesse Bostick | ... | Derek, Who Opened the Door | |
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Isaac Durnford | ... | Jason, Who's a Little Too Curious |
Molly Mahoney is the manager of Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium, the awesome toy store owned by Mr. Edward Magorium. Molly was a promising composer and piano player when she was a girl, and now she is a twenty-three year-old insecure woman who feels stuck in her job. Among the costumers of the Emporium is the lonely hat collector, Eric Applebaum, who has only Molly and Mr. Magorium for friends. When the last pair of shoes that Mr. Magorium bought in Toscana is worn, he hires the accountant, Henry Weston to adjust the accounts of the Emporium. Furthermore, he claims that he is two hundred and forty-three years old and his time to go has come; he gives a block of wood called Congreve cube to Molly and asks Henry to transfer the Emporium to her name. Molly tries to convince Mr. Magorium to stay in his magical toy store instead of "going". Written by Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
I will admit to being surprised at how many people claimed that this lighthearted tale was a snoozer. If you or your children were bored, how sad for you. While this is not action-packed nor animated, it's filled with subtly delightful moments and a sense of whimsy. Unfortunately these qualities are lost on the those who are so conditioned for immediate gratification and messages that are as subtle as a flying brick. Well, too bad for you.
While far from a cinematic masterpiece, my family and I found this thoroughly enjoyable. Dustin Hoffman is a master at fully inhabiting a character and making you believe that he *is* that person. Portman was less than captivating, strangely, and Bateman was a bit wooden. The performance from Zach Mills was terrific, however. And the store was a place I would have spent a lot of time in as a boy.
And speaking as a husband and father of two, I was not bored at any point during this movie. And I'm a pretty typical red-blooded-sports-fanatic American male. I just haven't lost my ability to enjoy a flight of fantasy every once in a while.
Give this movie a chance if you've got any sense of magic left inside of you.
Oh, and to "luckyunicorn" who took umbrage with the line "You just have to believe in yourself", questioning "Who talks like this?", I would have you know that I say this to my girls all the time. Because it's the truth.