Tuesday 9 January 2024

A cracking mini hit of Wes Anderson

Wes Anderson’s latest film is a short – just 39 minutes – version of Roald Dahl’s short story, and it is a joy.

The titular character is the pseudonym of a wealthy bachelor gambler, who comes across a book of a doctor's report of a man who claimed he could see and interact without using his eyes.

By practising the meditations involved, Henry Strange manages to see through the backs of playing cards. He uses this ability to make millions, establishing a network of successful hospitals and orphanages.

All the usual identifiers of Anderson’s work are present, from the highly stylised look of the piece to the mannered performances.


And there is a typically wonderful ensemble cast – not least Ralph Fiennes, Benedict Cumberbatch, Ben Kingsley, Dev Patel and Richard Ayoade.

 

It is now streaming on Netflix.


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