NYFF: "Hugo" A Work in Progress
Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 12:08AM The surprise screening of The New York Film Festival tonight was Martin Scorsese's Hugo, a 3D adaptation of the book The Invention of Hugo Cabret (a much better title for about a hundred reasons) which is about an orphan boy who inadvertently uncovers rich cinematic history while trying to repair a broken automatron that is his only cherished reminder of his father. Martin Scorsese introduced the film himself and seemed a bit embarrassed by the standing ovation before the screening. Perhaps he was thinking Calm down. What if you don't like it?!?
Father and Son and Automatron in "Hugo"
Though you'll undoubtedly see several full reviews online tonight, we were given a finger wagging public reminder pre-screening that we weren't to do so. Scorsese warned us that the color correction was not finished, the score was a temporary rendition of the completed score which Howard Shore is currently recording, and some of the effects and the 3D still needed touching up. This was especially true of the opening pre-title segment which had a lot of computer graphics in lieu of actual people and objects. So absent an actual review, let it suffice to say that I was too caught up in it to take ANY notes (the only thing written on my pad is "still needs color cor..." yep, that's it!) and was very pleasantly surprised.
Ben Kingsley as the mysterious Papa GeorgeI had found the trailer so manic and gimmicky that I assumed the film would be a noisy disaster but the completed -- excuse me, nearly completed -- movie is actually fairly gentle and lovely despite flirting with manic slapstick on a few occassions. Production designer and certain Oscar nominee (again) Dante Ferretti's clock motif on steroids should read garish since Hugo lives inside a train station which seems to house ten thousand of them, all of which he hand winds daily. Instead the sets feel like intricate beauties with tiny hand-crafted parts. The film is still settling in my mind and I heard everything from raves to loud but minor quibbling while briefly chatting with other moviegoers outside. But if you've ever loved France, Books, Fiddling With How Gadgets Work, or The History of Cinema, it's a love letter you'll most definitely want to read when it opens next month.
Art Direction, Dante Ferretti, Hugo, Martin Scorsese, NYFF, Oscars (11), film festivals
Reader Comments (18)
Yeah, I think the title change was to make it more user-friendly or something. The original title is definitely better.
"I had found the trailer so manic and gimmicky that I assumed the film would be a noisy disaster but the completed -- excuse me, nearly completed -- movie is actually fairly gentle and lovely despite flirting with manic slapstick on a few occasions."
^I completely agree. Fear not, lovers-of-subtlety.
Normally I hate seeing films in 3D...being a regular wearer of glasses makes it frustrating, and it too often feels like a poorly employed gimmick...but for 'Hugo,' it was perfect. What better way to make a statement about the beauty of the evolution of film as a medium than to take advantage of one of its more recent, controversial innovations? Come Thanksgiving, I'd encourage moviegoers to splurge and see this one in 3D for sure.
Looks good.
Nathaniel -- Is Ben Kingsley Oscar worthy?
Cannot wait to see it! Also, worst teaser poster ever, right?
Nathaniel-I'm happy for you that it wasn't J. Edgar, even though I would pay money to see that groan let out :)
How does it affect your predictions?
At the very least, it takes Super 8 off the visual effects list. Possibly a nom for the best in show supporting actor. (Whoever that may be.) Outside shots at director, picture and adapted screenplay.
Those are just my thoughts of what it affects, though. I don't presume to speak for the blog runner. Sorry if it came across that way.
cal -- al anybody cares about is the oscar predictions anymore. *sniffle* (in truth i know they're overdue. this week has been so crazy busy. having trouble finding time to finish about 10 articles. more screenings today! (tis the season)
Reason number 749 why trailers suck. I really wish I had Guy Lodge's willpower so I could not watch them at all.
I'd say Hugo's best Oscar chances are, in order of likelihood, Visual Effects, Score (if Best=Most... it's kinda forgettable), Sound categories (lots of tinkering noises), and maaaaybe Supporting Actor for Kingsley. I don't see Sasha Baron Cohen getting Oscar attention though the NYFF audience loved him.
I was pleasantly surprised too. I have some reservations about the first forty-ish minutes. One early manic chase, for example, was so poorly staged and edited I was squirming in my seat fearing what the rest of the movie might bring. Utter relief, as it turned out - once the film settled into its groove (and boy did it settle) it was one of the most enchanting movie experiences I've had in a while.
Do you think people is going to sue Hugo, for not being manic and gimmicky as the trailer promised?
I wish I would have avoided the trailer because it made me a little disinterested, now it seems like I'm crazy.
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