The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (2023) User Reviews

Immaculate short film

[masonsaul · 8/10 · 27 September 2023]

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar is a great short film that doesn't waste a second of its shorter run time and definitely works as a short film in a way a feature length film simply cannot. The energy, the pace and the complexity comes together so well in an exhilarating, immaculate story of kindness.

Unusually, this is a cast who are mostly new to the world of Wes but Benedict Cumberbatch, Dev Patel and Ben Kingsley are note perfect here in a way that hopefully results in many more future collaborations. Richard Ayoade on the other hand, feels surprisingly underutilised.

Wes Anderson has never had more control of the frame or everything inside it. It's standard issue that it's going to be gorgeous to look at and rife with detail but the real strength of his direction here is the way it's able to feel so theatrical in its construction yet still be inherently cinematic.

A Wes-Andersonesque Bedtime Delight

[nir661 · 8/10 · 27 September 2023]

If Wes Anderson decided to pen a bedtime story, it might just look like "The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar." This 38-minute marvel weaves a tapestry of mystery and whimsy that leaves you both tickled and intrigued.

This isn't a full-blown comedy, but it certainly doesn't shy away from its share of wry humor. The script sprinkles witty quips and playful moments throughout the tale, giving the audience some delightful chuckles. It's a nod to Anderson's signature style - a dash of quirkiness that keeps you grinning.

Benedict, in his first foray into Anderson's cinematic world, shines as Henry Sugar. His portrayal adds depth to this peculiar character, and he's complemented by a stellar supporting cast who bring their own unique flair to the story.

"The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar" exudes a distinct theatrical vibe. The set design and the way the scenes are presented feel like a live theater performance. It's a refreshing departure from the conventional cinematic experience, adding a layer of whimsical charm.

This film doesn't aim to tug at your heartstrings or deliver profound messages; it's here to entertain. It's a bedtime story for the child in all of us, a light-hearted adventure that captivates without overwhelming.

In true Wes Anderson fashion, "The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar" dances to its own whimsical tune, making it a delightful short film that transports you to a world where the ordinary becomes extraordinary.

A faithful and whimsical adaptation of a beautiful short story

[MarquinRobes · 8/10 · 27 September 2023]

"This is a terrific piece of book-to-film adaptation", I cried. "I read the book in preparation for the film and I can say with utmost certainty that...", I drank a cup of water to catch my breath, "...that almost every piece of dialogue in the film, not counting the name changes, are almost word for word from the book", I stood up from my chair and slowly applauded for the film, "Indubitably Anderson's most loquacious and experimental work to date. The way he plays with the medium of storytelling is admirable at least. Unfortunately this unorthodox storytelling style is not for every sophisticated individual in the planet", I sat down and happily sighed. "I hope to see this marvelous short film again in the future"

We may very well witness the birth of a new content genre: i.e. from "audiobook" to "cinematic book"...

[Erik_Surewaard · 27 September 2023]

I think we can all agree that the format of this 'content' is very different from what we are used to. On the one hand, it has the features of an "audible book". But it most certainly also has features that fit with a stage play. Actually, it seems like a hybrid of the two, which I for certain have never seen before.

And whilst it is different, people tend to start agreeing with extreme ratings: i.e. They either say they like it very well and give it a rating of 10 stars, or they hate it and go for a 1 star rating. And since I do not want my review being tainted by chosing either of the two camps, I simply chose to not give it an IMDb rating. This so that either camp can agree with my review instead of a rating...

That this is some new type of content is obvious. I personally think it is more a natural evolution of (1) reading books, to (2) audiobooks, and now (3) this new format.

I think a term of "cinematic book" may fit with what we see here: a book that is read to an audience by using renowned actors in a format that fits cinema.

With many new things, I was confused at what exactly I was watching when I started this content. And honestly said, it took me several minutes to adjust to it. As an avid bookreader myself, I have enjoyed quite a number of Roald Dahl's books. Not being a fan of audiobooks myself, I never ever listened to his books. But this "cinematic book" is just a different experience. There is so much added richness to it, that I really started to enjoy it. So rich actually, that I had trouble keeping up with the fast-paced storytelling. There is so much to see in each of the different sets that it is pretty difficult to ingest all you hear and see. And I think this will be even a bigger challenge for viewers from non-english speaking countries which need to rely on subtitles. So, I think it may be a recommendation to (1) first "watch" it with a primary focus on listening to the story, and (2) a second time to enjoy the richly detailed scenes.

Concluding, I think we witness here the evolution of how we may "read" books. An evolution that first started with the introduction of audiobooks, which we now see evolve in a content genre that I can describe best as a "cinematic book". And whilst it takes some moments to get used to, I definitely want to see more of it in the future.

More than a part of the decoration

[Quinoa1984 · 10/10 · 29 September 2023]

As much as this is pure Uncut 1100% pure white as the driven snow Wes Anderson, including one of his most thrilling tracking shots and rear-screen projection that made me laugh hard enough for the neighbors to sit up and probably want to check it out for themselves, it is also a perfect distillation of Roald Dahl's perfectly eccentric and wildly over-elaborate storytelling and construction of one plot into another.

Maybe you haven't read Dahl in a while if you were one of those kids who read him a lot (I know he has a reputation today, but he could objectively write comedy and quirk like nobody's business), but even if that's so the recognition of his voice will come back to you like a long dormant dream. It's also fascinating to see the clockwork-theatrical staging from Asteroid City taken even further. I'd ask him why he doesn't direct theater, but then he would look at me like I was a fool - why do that when he has the overwhelming power of control of the Frame of Cinema at his disposal?

The thing about this Henry Sugar film that I like on top of the perfectly calibrated balancing act between very human comedy and quixotic and deadpan fantasy that we know Anderson can do in his sleep (though I imagine as easy as it looks it takes a lot of concentration to get right with DP Yeoman), the performances are just right and add to the flavor of the piece. Call it shallow, but I just enjoy how soothing the voices of Cumberbatch, Dev Patel, Kingsley and even to an extent Fiennes are, like they could almost be ASMR-ing you with the Dahl words that get spun like a marathon sprinter who is running in this precision that dazzles you because it almost is inexplicable (just like, I might posit for comparison, what the men can see with their eyes closed after concentrating hard for days and years on end).

Last but not least: Benedict Cumberbatch in a dress = most unlikely kind of attractive walking cartoon in a dress since Bugs Bunny.

"Mystical Gambits and Whimsical Tales"

[yashhraaj · 10/10 · 27 September 2023]

Journey into the lavish world of "The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar," a 2023 cinematic adaptation of Roald Dahl's imaginative tale, masterfully reimagined by the ever-eclectic Wes Anderson. This short film, elegantly streaming on Netflix, delves into the enigmatic psyche of Henry Sugar, played with impeccable charm by Benedict Cumberbatch. He's a man of opulence, seeking the extraordinary in hopes of manipulating the world of gambling.

Anderson, revisiting Dahl's universe after his acclaimed "Fantastic Mr. Fox," employs his signature quirky narrative style, blending whimsy with profound introspection. Drawing inspiration from the astonishing claims of real-life Pakistani mystic, Kuda Bux, the story flirts with the lines of reality and the surreal.

Stellar performances by Ralph Fiennes, Dev Patel, Ben Kingsley, Rupert Friend, and Richard Ayoade lend depth and texture to this tapestry of eccentricities. However, it's the sheer peculiarity of the story that takes center stage, reminding us that truth can sometimes be stranger than fiction.

In essence, "The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar" is more than a mere adaptation; it's a mesmerizing dance of wit, wonder, and whimsy. Perfect for those who relish a delightful blend of comedy, drama, and the unmistakably unique touch of Anderson's direction. A viewing experience not to be missed!

A captivating and exotic short story.

[fciocca · 7/10 · 2 October 2023]

'The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar' is the first of four shorts by Wes Anderson. This production is the perfect visualization of a book. The transitions are peculiar and they contributed greatly to make the story flow smoothly. The editing was absolutely phenomenal with a few cuts placed in the right moments. The 1.33:1 aspect ratio immersed me even more in the story. All the trademarks of the director are there: the perfect symmetry of the sets, the actor placed exactly in the right spot and the fairy mood. The plot is engaging and exotic. I like the development and I was genuinely curious to see how everything was going to wrap up. This is how you tell a trivial story in an original and fresh way. The cast is composed of many great actors: with a team such as Benedict Cumberbatch, Ralph Fiennes and Ben Kingsley you know that simply you cannot go wrong. All of them have a very pleasant and clean British accent, which for me is an added value. My final mark is 7.5 stars out of 10.

Henry Suger's life must have been an exceedingly boring one...

[webboy-81916 · 9/10 · 19 February 2024]

BTW, the mind training method described in this movie, the staring into a candle and concentrating your thought thing, is very popular in north korea... Maybe that is why they can do so much even though they are so resource deprived... Maybe this story is non fiction... Anyway, i think the life of Henry Suger described in this short movie, even though his charity work is very admirable, must have been an exceedingly boring one since there was absolutely no thrill involved because he could see the deck with his special powers... i think Benedict Cumberbatch did a really good job as Henry Suger. I can hardly think of anyone else who would have doon a better job...

Unique storyline but pacing is too fast

[GryeD · 7/10 · 1 October 2023]

I am not familliar with any previous works or repuation of the creators whatsover, I just watched this short movie out of curiosity since it was on Netflix.

So this seemed to be a sort of first person narrative where the characters speak the story themselves? Think of it when a person reads a book out loud at home, but in this case they are reading to us the viewers.

The story of this piece focused on various qualities of generosity and depthful feelings. It was interesting to see the characters describe their feelings while not showing any type of emotions. Due to the nature of this film, I wasn't sure what to think, the concept is good but I found it perplexing.

My only issue is the pacing, I am unsure if this was on purpose or not. This flim piece moved way too fast, to where even I had trouble keeping up or understanding what was going on. Perhaps this is how the film was designed to be or I needed a deeper level of understanding?

Fantastic!

[carolleejones · 10/10 · 1 October 2023]

ALL DAHL STORIES SHOULD BE FILMED IN THIS MANNER. So clever in its story telling!! It's like a living diorama!

I hate that IMDb insists on using so many characters in order to post a reviews, as some opinions don't require all the verbiage they insist upon. I've seen other reviews that were short, but for some reason I'm expected to come up with 600 letters. Seems like an unnecessary rule, but I wanted so badly to give a bravo to this short, that I'm willing to ramble on just to speak on this platform. Sheesh! What a pain. But as I reach my minimum character mandate, I'll say again...this short is fantastic!! A clever take on a clever story written by an extremely clever man.

Another weird Wes Anderson film

[bignuts-06245 · 6/10 · 20 October 2023]

Short film containing a few stories, the main one seeming to be about a man who develops the ability to predict which playing cards are going to be drawn out during casino card games enabling him to continuously beat the house so he can become filthy rich. Starring the likes of Ralph Fiennes, Ben Kingsley, Benedict Cumberbatch & Richard Ayoade it's the usual Wes Anderson type film which isn't my cup of tea but if it's yours then you'll probably like it & want to give it a go but if you ask me there's much better films out there to watch so I'd advise you to go & watch one of them instead & give this a miss.

What Better Way To Spend Your Lunch Break Than With Wes Anderson and Roald Dahl?

[RightOnDaddio · 9/10 · 29 September 2023]

This is a free flowing, free speaking, non stop dream of story telling.that glistens and glows for 37 minutes without taking even a short breath.

One can see why so many acting greats want to work with this director.

Set designers too.

Wow.

Wes, such a visionary.

Still so here, even in just a half hour.

His style so distinct and recognizable.

This is a fantastic introduction to anyone, even those that break out in hives at mere mention of arthouse cinema.

It's short, they can do it.

This is viewable for all ages.

All performances by all heavyweights here, all of them, solid as they are steady.

You'd spend as much if not more time watching cheesy YouTube videos or something else silly.

Thirty minutes is nothing.

And it's time well spent.

This is about acquiring a gift or talent by different men. And the various uses of that same talent or skill is as different as each man's motivation, and the end results are not always what was sought or intended.

Such is life.

Scrumdiddlyumptious, or fizzlecrump?

[jgreco7 · 6/10 · 28 September 2023]

"Whimsical" and "fantastical" are often used to describe the magical fiction of Welsh author Roald Dahl, whose stories, ostensibly for children, have an undercurrent of adult sentiment, mischief, and acerbic wit. His match has been met in recent years in American auteur Wes Anderson, and lately this year in his confectionery, "The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar," a short, 40 minutes derived from Dahl's short story collection of the same name. Yes, it is by definition "a short," yet inexplicably longer than it ought to be.

Anderson's remarkable film career has been on the radar of admirers since "Bottle Rocket" in 1996, his directorial debut at twenty-seven, followed by "Rushmore" in 1998. With Jerry-built plots of comedy and gloom, mistaking character development for quirky and loopy, and endings that deflate like party balloons, their singular style has wormed its way ad nauseam into the collective unconscious of the current wave of filmmakers and writers, the results of which can be sampled on Netflix, ad nauseam.

The word often attributed to Anderson is "postmodern," a catch all for anything that defies explanation in words of one syllable. No one can fault him for this, as he is, without question, an interesting artist who inspires debate, revulsion, and love. This "short" is a case in point. Unlikely to ever become a perennial favorite, like "Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang," it is at least not longer than 40 minutes because any longer would have been sensory overload.

Typical now of Anderson's eccentric visual style, the film is, in effect, a colorful, three-dimensional, pop-up book, although oddly flat, despite forced perspectives, yet by laterally moving the camera, to cut from one scene to the next, as if flipping the pages of a book, there is a fluidity, too, like the sweeping camera moves in a Max Ophuls' film. But, not quite. Nothing in an Anderson film is like anything previously seen.

Conceptually, it's not even a film. In fact, by having actors directly address the audience, disclosing the fictive world, using perfunctory, mechanical line readings to alienate them further from any character identification, his work is, perhaps intentionally, an endorsement of one of Dahl's "revolting rules": "Films are fun...but books are better!"

I am not moved in any way

[Skippy_neu · 4/10 · 27 September 2023]

Only recommended if you are a Wes Anderson fan. I am not really and can't appreciate this experiment. The film's imagery is appealing but the fast dialogue is exhausting. According to other reviews, the interesting story and dialogue are fully based off the book so no creative achievement there. The music did not leave a mark on me. You keep waiting for a moment when the movie draws you in but it doesn't come. The acting is good and supports the setup well but the film is not really based on the acting and the actors are not given any room to shine. So even Benedict Cumberbatch or Dev Patel fans can skip this one.

Think like a Grand Budapest Hotel but shorter this time!

[daisyyy123 · 27 September 2023]

This is exactly Wes Anderson style! Same colors, angles, another Wes Anderson film star in a side role.. I enjoyed it and never get bored. The story was unbelievable and quite fluent. Also see Benedict in a Wes Anderson movie just wonderfull. So far, so good but i think the director should try new methods because everything was same. Think like a Grand Budapest Hotel but shorter this time! If even one thing changes, the films will be more distinctive and unique in themselves. Still, that doesn't mean the movie shouldn't be given a chance. If you like Wes Anderson's style, you must give a chance.

classic wes anderson is back everyone

[maltoxze · 8/10 · 27 September 2023]

A great short film in its own style from the master director Wes Anderson, after the not-so-liked Asteroid City. This production offers us a great visual feast, a fluent story unlike Asteroid City, and an absorbing story with beautiful characterizations. I'm not very familiar with the academy rules, but I hope it at least wins an award in the short film category. If you like Wes Anderson's productions and/or like pastel, colorful backgrounds (like me), you should definitely watch it. At the same time, the movie was inspired by a mystical person named Kuda Bux. I also liked that one actor played different characters.

Much, much more than "just" a short film!

[bikestelar · 10/10 · 19 March 2024]

Wes Anderson takes us on a beautiful tour through the works of Roald Dahl in the same way that Baz Luhrmann (Gatsby) and David Fincher (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) took us through the works of F. Scott Fitzgerald: The tone of the text reminded me very "Tales from the Jazz Age", in the rich setting, in the sincere construction of the characters, in the tone of the time inseparable from their mannerisms.

Dahl, like Fitzgerald, presents us with human beings dealing with the unusual, acting, reacting and making decisions based on what immediate reality presents them, and Wes Anderson managed to capture the nature of the text in a peculiar way.

Ben Kingsley and Dev Patel present themselves naturally and completely at ease in the format chosen by Wes to tell us the story: first-person narration, constant breaking of the fourth wall, interactive theatrical scenarios... A beautiful, frank and objective composition, focused on the text.

Without a doubt something worthy of attention and affection.

A book reading, Wes Anderson style!

[awsafzidane · 7/10 · 27 September 2023]

This is exactly what you would expect from an auteur like Wes Anderson. A wonderful tale told in the most colourful and symmetrical way that is the trademark of Wes.

It is a short film, not short on charm. A formidable cast containing revered names like Benedict Cumberbatch, Ralph Fiennes, Dev Patel, Ben Kingsley, and Richard Ayoade all in multiple roles. And every actor does complete justice to each character they play.

This is the most faithful a book adaptation can get as it is literally told like a storybook. It's like a graphical representation of Roald Dahl's story.

The only criticisms I have is that like most of Wes' works, this feels emotionally alienating; and that the dialogue is too fast to understand without the subtitles.

But, nevertheless, this is a Wes classic.

Passionately delicate, colorful, fun, intriguing.

[RosanaBotafogo · 9/10 · 20 April 2024]

It is a mix of complexity and subtlety, which delights and captivates us, so enchanting that it seems shorter than it is, when we realize it is over... It leaves us stunned with joy, vibrant colors, agile script and thought-provoking story... A story, within a story, within another story, loosely based on the real-life Pakistani mystic Kuda Bux, who saw without his eyes, the rest is all invention, like everything else. Passionately delicate, colorful, fun, intriguing.

The Amazing Story of Henry Sugar is a 2023 comedy-adventure short film directed by Wes Anderson and based on the short story of the same name by Roald Dahl. The film tells the story of Henry Sugar (Benedict Cumberbatch), a rich and eccentric man who becomes obsessed with a secret technique that allows him to "see" without using his eyes.

actually, a 6.5

[imizrahi2002 · 6/10 · 28 September 2023]

Passable, because of the visual aspect which Wes Anderson always does so well...but i didn't find the story all that amusing. And i don't CARE if the rapid dialogue was inspired by the book. I don't want to work that hard to keep up with it.

The acting conveyed what it was supposed to and there were moments of the usual Wes Anderson cuteness...i've probably seen all of Anderson's movies and i seriously love some of them. But not all. And this one definitely falls into the latter category. Who knows? Maybe roald dahl is to blame...maybe it wasn't all that great a story to begin with... but i'm not about to rave about something that was good enough, but, overall, disappointing...

Pleasantly Surprised

[KaraleeCupcake · 8/10 · 4 December 2023]

I have not read The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar by Roald Dahl, so I was unsure what to expect from this short film, but I was pleasantly surprised. The plot follows Henry Sugar when he finds a book about man who could see with his eyes closed, and from there, Henry Sugar attempts to learn how to do the same. The art style and direction of the film is unlike anything I have watched before thanks to Wes Anderson's directing. Benedict Cumberbatch is fantastic as Henry Sugar, and I quite liked the supporting cast as well. The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar is worth watching, and you will not regret spending the time on this book to film adaptation.

Too much of a good thing.

[Pjtaylor-96-138044 · 6/10 · 24 January 2024]

'The Wonderful Story Of Henry Sugar (2023)' is one of four short film adaptations of lesser-known Roald Dahl stories to be directed by Wes Anderson, who has perhaps finally achieved unabashed twee overload with what can only be described as four near-lethal injections of the purest concentrate of his trademark style, and dumped unceremoniously on Netflix. This piece tells the story of a rich man who one day finds the key to becoming even richer: an account of a man who is able to see without using his eyes and the method needed to achieve this. It's pretty much a word-for-word translation of the source material, with narration that runs constantly and bounces from character to character (who often tell us, the audience, about what they're doing while they're doing it). It's all third person, too, so even Henry Sugar refers to himself as such. This is because the whole thing is actually being read by Dahl himself, who appears intermittently to frame the story as a true account of something he himself was once told. As the tale is spoken to us, the sets deconstruct themselves around the actors in a complex dance that's quite a sight to behold. The whole thing feels like an incredibly complicated stage play, complete with prop-wielding stage hands and just off-screen costume swaps, which is definitely a unique approach to take. The pacing is so fast that the flick often leaves you breathless, primarily because every single character is talking like they're absolutely desperate to get out of there but can't leave until they've finished their part. At the same time, though, it ultimately feels a bit too long for its own good. After all, there's only so much verbal bombardment a person can take, as entertaining as that bombardment may be. Ultimately, this is a refreshingly distinct and expertly crafted short film that kind of represents too much of a good thing. It's enjoyable, but overwhelming.

Quick and witty Wes at his best

[bartonregis · 9/10 · 18 February 2024]

It's not often I leave a review so when I do, you know I either loathed it or loved it. This short story by Wes Anderson I absolutely loved!! Told in a way as if you was listening to an audio book which ironically suits the films prose about a man who can see without his eyes. You could merely close your eyes and the tale would remain the same as if you'd had watched it. Wes' characters are always bold and witty and every character was played excellently, especially the great Ben Kingsley. By the time the credits came round and found myself wanting to watch another hour or so such was the great writing and performances. I also loved how the audio was worked so that the characters felt like they was in a room with you if you watched this like I did, at work with my headphones in.

If you've got 35 minutes to spare then definitely put the kettle on and sit down to give this a watch. If you don't have 35 minutes spare then stick your headphones in and listen as you go about your day. This is the Wes Anderson I crave.

Very strange but very special!

[missraccoonpaws · 7/10 · 18 March 2024]

Let me explain.

My fiance immediately hated how this was pictured on screen because of how different it was. I actually loved the narration and how different this was. The story is very charming, cumperbatch his voice is quite amazing and suits the story. Graphically it is just strange but if you decide you are there for the run, and to sit and see something new and let yourself go for a strange ride that is a little different, this will be a good new audio/visual experience.

I also always love that it's neither sexual nor gore. I can always appreciate when a movie decides to not rely on that to be entertaining and keeping people in.

The start of Visible

[noeldacosta-51602 · 3/10 · 4 October 2023]

This is hardly a movie, it's more like a narrated and animated short story. In fact, that's precisely what it is.

It really feels like the movie industry is running out of ideas. This feels like a desperate attempt to be novel and thus to stand out from the crowd. Judging by the average star score for this (7.5), they were successful.

I'm sure this was a very low budget effort... looking it up... I'm right; something like $20 million dollars.

The story is good, I can't fault that - it's a Roald Dahl classic -, but as a movie it is intensely dull. It's sort of at the level you might expect from an airline safety instruction video. It's the kind of movie that you can safely "watch" in the background while you type a scathing review of it and be certain you haven't missed anything worth seeing.

The style of "acting" isn't acting at all. It's literally just narration. It is almost precisely what you would get if you had a set of famous actors narrating a book on a service like Audible. I can't comment on the script... because there isn't one. This is just a book, being read, by a cast, mostly in a monotone, spoken quickly.

In fact I can see this launching a new genre of entertainment service... maybe they'll call it Visible.