Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium Rated G Genre:Family Theater release: November 16, 2007 by Twentieth Century Fox Directed by: Zach Helm Runtime: 94 minutes Cast: Natalie Portman (Molly Mahoney), Dustin Hoffman (Mr. Edward Magorium), Jason Bateman (Henry Weston), Zach Mills (Eric Applebaum) Related: • Talk About It/Family Corner • What Others Are Saying

Unlike most of the films made by Walden Media, the family fantasy Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium is not based on a beloved children's classic book. But that's exactly how it feels with its nostalgic mood, old-fashioned storytelling, childlike innocence, quirky delight, simple morals, and poetically bizarre dialogue like "It's strangely weird and weirdly strange!"

Unfortunately, it feels like a childhood favorite that didn't translate perfectly to the screen—like one of those stories where your young imagination's own take on this fantastic world could never truly be captured on screen. Watching Mr. Magorium, I was tempted to think, I bet that character is so much more developed and full in the book. You can only do so much in a movie.

Dustin Hoffman as the strangely fun Mr. Magorium

But this wasn't ever a book. So while this original and often charming story has much to say about wonder, belief, and death, something's lost in "translation."

The movie is narrated like a storybook by a fascinating and eccentric 9-year-old named Eric (Zach Mills), who collects hats and spends most of his time as a sort of junior assistant at the magical toy store of the film's title. Eric is one member of a sort of dysfunctional "family" at Mr. Magorium's—four characters who share a neat bond in a wonderful display of friendship. If they were better defined, they'd be like a kids' version of the close-but-messed-up family in Little Miss Sunshine. The patriarch is Mr. Magorium (Dustin Hoffman), the mysterious and eccentric 243-year-old owner. The foursome is completed by store manager Molly Mahoney (Natalie Portman) and the newly hired accountant Henry (Jason Bateman). When Mr. Magorium announces he will soon leave, he wants Molly to take over the store, but she's too insecure to believe she can run the business. She finds it easy to believe in a magic toy store, but not in herself.

Zach Mills as Eric Applebaum the narrator and a regular at the store

Like a movie that can only but scratch the surface of a deep, lush, wondrous book, this story feels like a sketch drawing of a more wonderful painting. There seems to be so much more behind the characters, the wonder and the magic of the story—but it's out of reach.

Part of the problem is that the film tries too hard to combine nostalgic charm with magical wonder. Lost in that tension are the characters and story. Instead, what you get are toys that kids supposedly find thrilling, but wouldn't be touched by real kids. Seriously, we all used to get bored with marionettes and tin tops after about five minutes every Christmas morning; will today's kids even be interested in seeing these toys in a movie? Sure, many of the film's imaginative creations seem "strangely weird and weirdly strange" at first, but then you realize they're kind of lame—like a mobile of real fish or a room of hula-hoops. Who really wants a mobile of real fish? What toy store couldn't fill a room with hula-hoops? Even with toys that come alive and special surprises like flying airplanes that fly forever, the movie doesn't sell the fact that anybody would really dig Mr. Magorium's old toys. The store feels like a cross between Willy Wonka's chocolate factory and Night at the Museum's living exhibits—but with the wonder in insignificant things … or else a wonder that's just talked about.

Molly Mahoney (Natalie Portman) is Mr. Magorium's store manager

This doesn't mean there aren't charming moments and fun surprises. Mr. Magorium's does house creative wonders that stir the imagination and make you wish you could walk into this world. But interestingly enough, it's the little touches, simple pleasures and quiet eccentricities of the characters and store that are most endearing and fascinating. There's a sweet, sad little sock monkey who quietly reaches out for hugs—but always just misses. All the characters repeatedly call Henry "the mutant," and he never bothers to ask why. A lemur gets loose in the store and Mr. Magorium is more concerned with what a lemur is than catching it. And Mr. Magorium always introduces himself as an "avid shoe lover" and questions people about hot dog buns. In the offbeat role, Hoffman is like Rainman crossed with Willy Wonka.

In fact, the inspiration of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is clear here. Like that book, each character surrounding Mr. Magorium has lessons to learn. Molly doesn't believe in herself. Eric finds it easier to be lonely than take the risks inherent in having friends. And Henry has lost his inner child. Each character has an amazing scene related to overcoming his or her issues, but each arc ultimately feels unsatisfying, forced and incomplete. For instance, after Eric's mom tells him that all he has to do to make a friend is to say "hi," he initiates a sweet friendship with Henry by holding up written notes through the glass window of Henry's office. The scene is sweet, moving and triumphant—he actually stepped out to make a friend! But when the film's over, you realize that Eric still has no friends his own age.

Jason Bateman as Henry Weston the accountant

As these individual journeys play out, the movie as a whole is about belief that there's more to life than this. The magic that makes the Wonder Emporium tick is not wizard magic or any kind of sorcery—but is the magic of the imagination and childlike wonder. This is made clear when Molly confronts Henry because he can't believe in seemingly impossible things. She says to him, "To you, it's always just a store, just a bench, just a tree. Nothing any more." But the movie says that there is always more; you just have to believe to see it. It is a faith-affirming and imagination-lauding message. Coupled with Molly's story that you need to believe in the wonders of life—and yourself—there is much in the story to discuss with kids.

Perhaps the film's greatest triumph is the way it handles death. In a way, the storyline is analogous to the loss of a beloved grandparent. Hoffman plays Mr. Magorium as a fun-loving, goofy and joyful—but bumbling and aloof—senior citizen. He's the grandfather everyone wants. As he prepares those around him for his departure, the film approaches death in a life-celebrating, gentle and non-scary way. Magorium tells his friends, "Light bulbs die. I will depart." He stresses that what is important is not his death, but the life he lived. And he teaches that death is not the end, but the natural next step: the beginning of a new story.

Because of the inspiring discussions of death and belief in Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium—and truly creative moments of warmth and wonder—the movie ultimately overcomes its flaws to charm, inspire and satisfy. Almost as much as when that sad little sock monkey finally gets his hug.

Talk About It

Discussion starters

1. How do you define belief? What is the difference between "seeing is believing" and "believing is seeing?" 2. At the beginning, the narrator says, "What Molly needed was an opportunity to prove to herself she was more than she believed." Why didn't Molly believe in herself? What does it mean to believe in yourself? Why is that important? At the end, why did she believe she could run the store? In what ways do you not believe in yourself? What helps you believe in yourself? 3. Have you ever felt like Eric? How? What's scary about making friends? What's the best way to make friends? 4. What did you learn from the movie about death? Was it sad when Mr. Magorium died? Why or why not? Where do you think he went? Why? The Bible teaches that death is not the end. What does that mean to you?

The Family Corner

For parents to consider

Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium is rated G. Really. The very clean, family-friendly film has very little to concern parents, except possibly the discussions of death. But, death is carefully and sensitively handled as an inevitable part of life that is not to be feared, but seen as the start of another adventure. There is one very quick conversation that suggests other religious views of the afterlife—including reincarnation.

Photos © Copyright Twentieth Century Fox

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