The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar

What It’s About:

Based on Roald Dahl’s beloved story, this short film follows a rich man who learns about a guru who can see without using his eyes and then sets out to master the skill to cheat at gambling.

Why You Should Watch:

Wes Anderson is definitely an acquired taste. His established brand of twee pastel symmetry attracts big-name talent but hasn’t been a consistent product as of late. He repeatedly receives blank checks from big benefactors like Netflix or Apple, who, eager to cash in on his mainstream auteur status, kind of let him do whatever he wants, and that lack of restraint produces mixed results (eh hem, The French Dispatch). This is all to say why The Marvelous Story of Henry Sugar is so good. At just 40 minutes, Anderson’s usual set of tricks don’t feel overplayed here; they feel inspired. Imagine an audiobook paired with an adult picture book where the pages fold out, and that’s essentially Sugar; only the narration comes courtesy of some of the best actors we have (Ralph Fiennes, Ben Kingsley, and Benedict Cumberbatch), and the pictures conceived by one of our most aesthetically unique directors (other than Tim Burton or Guillermo Del Toro). It’s an enjoyable sweet treat, and one you don’t need to see without eyes to recognize is the beneficiary of a paired-back Anderson. Just look at the runtime.

Who’s In It, and Where You Probably Know Them From

Benedict Cumberbatch - Rising to fame through the hit British show Sherlock, you may recognize him pinging back and forth between prestige projects and popcorn blockbusters like The Imitation Game, Dr. Strange, Tinker Tailor Solider Spy, Star Trek: Into Darkness, Atonement, 12 Years A Slave, and 1917.

Ben Kingsley - Schindler’s List, Gandhi, Shutter Island, Sexy Beast, Searching for Bobby Fisher, and Dave.

Ralph Fiennes - Schindler’s List, Voldemort in the Harry Potter franchise, The Grand Budapest Hotel, M in the most recent James Bond films, In Bruges, The English Patient, and Maid in Manhattan (lol).

Dev Patel - Slumdog Millionaire, Skins, Lion, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, The Green Knight, and The Newsroom.

Who Made It, and What Else Have They Done:

Wes Anderson directed the short film. Outside of being known for a creative style so ubiquitous it’s often parodied, he’s known for directing films like Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums, Moonlight Kingdom, and The Grand Budapest Hotel. He also launched the careers of Luke and Owen Wilson with his debut film Bottle Rocket.

Where You Can Watch:

Netflix

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