Rating of
3/4
"If you want to sing out"
itv_digital - wrote on 04/19/08
Zach Helm has delivered a lovely little film that tonally and thematically sits in the dead centre of Willy Wonka and Harold and Maude. Whilst the quirky nature of the script coupled with an overly whacky performance from Dustin Hoffman may be off-putting to some, those who perservere will find much to enjoy.
Portman is dependably solid as the lead but it is Jason Bateman who, in an impressive supporting role, provides the films beating heart.
Magorium manages to be both a hyper-stylized aesthetic treat and yet also remains grounded in genuine emotion (not unlike Juno). The montage sequence set to "Don't Be Shy" provides as much inspiration, melancholy and glee in one scene as most directors do in entire careers.
The potential Zach Helm shows in this, his directorial debut, is remarkable.
