I decided to read The Invention of Hugo Cabret before I saw the Martin Scorsese movie based on it. This is partly a graphic novel and although the book looks as thick as a brick, you can read it in an hour. Hugo is a 12-year-old who lives in a small room in a train station in Paris in the 1930s with his drunken Uncle. Hugo’s father, a clockmaker, was trying to fix an automaton when he dies unexpectedly. Then Hugo’s Uncle disappears. Hugo starts stealing food to stay alive. When Hugo tries to steal a toy, the man who owns the toy booth takes Hugo’s father’s notebook. The man threatens to burn the notebook unless Hugo works in his booth. Hugo needs the notebook to complete the automaton his father was working on when he died. There are plenty of twists to this story. The book morphs into an appreciation of early French films. The Invention of Hugo Cabret won a Caldecott Medal as Best Children’s Book of 2008. GRADE: A-
It is gorgeous and you will like it.
HUGO is on our list of movies to see in the next couple of weeks, Patti. There are so many films opening for the holidays!
Now go see the film. It is gorgeous and you will love it!
I can’t wait to see HUGO after reading the book, Scott!
Read this when it came out a few years ago. I thought it was mildly over-praised, but did enjoy it, and liked how evocative it was of Paris circa 1930.
Surprisingly, at least to me, is how unimpressive the film’s box office has been. Especially when you consider the mostly positive reviews.
You’re right, Drongo, the box office for HUGO is dismal. The marketing has been spotty and the audience–the same as TIN TIN’s–hasn’t connected with this film yet.