The Pitch: Author Roald Dahl (Ralph Fiennes) would like you to meet Henry Sugar (Benedict Cumberbatch), a rich and listless man whose life is transformed by the discovery of a book by a doctor (Dev Patel), who recounts the extraordinary tale of a man (Ben Kingsley) with the ability to “see without his eyes.” As this story-within-a-story-within-a-story-within-a-story descends and then rises through its layers of narrative, the nature of storytelling itself gets poked and prodded at, in ways only Wes Anderson is capable of.
The Movie’s Only 37 Minutes, Let’s Keep This Review Short Too: Based on the short story by Roald Dahl, The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar is a choreographed dance of an experience — one that could have easily felt like a run-on sentence. However, Anderson is skilled enough as a filmmaker to make sure to pace things out with a deliberate and sure hand, utilizing both long takes and clever edits to make 37 minutes fly by like 15.
As a filmmaker, right now Anderson seems to be interested in playing with deliberate artifice, as seen in the layers of reality presented during this year’s Asteroid City. Yet while those behind-the-scenes details were like frosting on a cake in that film, Henry Sugar is all frosting, thanks to its deliberately theatrical staging, including sets and props being wheeled off and on screen with a near-constant fervor. (The credits feature a long list of the stagehands involved.)
The Play’s the Thing: The ensemble, members of which play additional roles in addition to their primary characters, never breaks its commitment to the narrative, which they’re literally narrating directly to the camera, at an occasionally relentless pace. Anderson leans hard on Dahl’s original prose, right down to the “he said”s, an off-kilter choice that could potentially get annoying… if the film were a minute longer. As it plays, though, it’s like a roller coaster of words, moving you quickly through the plot.
It’s a small but talent-packed group of men passing the baton to each other with each scene transition; while all of their performances are synchronized to Anderson’s signature rhythm, each finds something unique to bring to it: Benedict Cumberbatch, as the titular Henry Sugar, reminds us how good he is at burying wry humor within his familiar deadpan, while Dev Patel’s wide-eyed wonder communicates his character’s palpable awe.
It is a bit disconcerting, in the year 2023, to see race-bent casting like the frequently delightful Richard Ayoade as an South Asian guru. Yet it’s less egregious than other recent instances, if only because of the fable-like atmosphere.
The Verdict: There’s a beauty to be found in the sheer fact that this film exists; there’s power in brevity, after all, and it’s pleasurable to see streaming services like Netflix take advantage of the platform’s flexible nature by allowing Anderson to play in this way. And “play” is the right word on so many levels, as there’s a giddy thrill that comes through the screen, a thrill at breaking the rules and exploring what’s possible with a little stagecraft and magic.
Would Henry Sugar be an unbearable experience at 38 minutes, versus 37? That’s an unanswerable question. But at this length, its approach works, if nothing else as a reminder that just because a story is short doesn’t mean it lacks power. Especially a story written by Dahl, whose legacy has become controversial in recent years, but whose words have enough wit and life to them to endure for years to come. Especially thanks to the appreciation of artists like Anderson.
Where to Watch: The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar is streaming now on Netflix.
Trailer:
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