Sunday, September 13, 2009

Max's Top Five, 3/5

(This is the synopsis of Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium, my Number 3 favorite movie)
When Mr. Magorium, the extraordinary 243 year-old proprietor (Dustin Hoffman) of a spectacular toy store, announce that he will at long last hand over the reigns of his wonder-expanding store to his unconfident young manager, Molly Mahoney (Natalie Portman), the store decides to throw an unusual tantrum. The playful toys that fill the store turn gray and quiet--and only Mahoney and a skeptical accountant named Henry (Jason Bateman) can revive them, if, with the help of a superdexterous 9 year-old (Zach Mills), they can fins the source of the magic within themselves.

I love this movie because it is original and clever. The acting is excellent. One of my favorite parts, which is also the saddest part, is Mr. Magorium's death. I love what he says to Mahoney concerning his death.
When King Lear dies in Act V, do you know what Shakespeare has written? He's written 'He dies.' That's all, nothing more. No fanfare, no metaphor, no brilliant final words. The culmination of the most influential work of dramatic literature is "He dies." It takes Shakespeare, a genius, to come up with 'He dies.' And yet every time I read those two words, I find myself overwhelmed with dysphoria. And I know it's only natural to be sad, but not because of the words 'He dies.' but because of the life we saw prior to the words.
I've lived all five of my acts, Mahoney, and I am not asking you to be happy that I must go. I'm only asking that you turn the page, continue reading... and let the next story begin. And if anyone asks what became of me, you relate my life in all its wonder, and end it with a simple and modest 'He died.'

I think that was just awesome!

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