- Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium

This is one of my daughter's and I favorite movies to watch together. I didn't watch it when it first came out and surprisingly, it was my daughter who discovered this movie. It is the quintessential family movie. It's rated "G" which I'm ashamed to say I equate with "boring"! I couldn't be more wrong when it came to this movie. It's a wonderful movie for the whole family. Me, my tween daughter ,my teenage son and even my 40 something year old husband all really liked it. I'm really shocked that when this was released in 2007 it didn't do very well or make much money. It's basically about believing in yourself and having self confidence. Natalie Portman (who I happen to believe is a suburb actress) is perfectly cast as Mahoney, the store manager, a former child pianist who doesn't believe in herself. She works for Mr. Magorium,played by a DELIGHTFUL Dustin Hoffman, who is the childlike Santa Claus-esque 243 year old owner of the Toy store. He decides to give the store to Mahoney who doesn't feel she I can do it. In preparation of this change in ownership, he hires an accountant (Jason Bateman). As I said this a great little movie, Perfect for children of all ages. It has a great story, awesome actors and it's just a nice way to pass some time .

love this movie. good nostalgic moment

I started being a Natalie Portman fan when I saw Beautiful Girls, but haven't followed her that much after she was in the Star Wars films. But among all her movies, I like this one the best, as a fun movie to watch. It's a movie about a toy store, and toys make people happy. But there are some sad parts in this movie too, and as an adult, I even got choked up, so I just want to warn the kids that they might cry watching the sad parts. But it is intended for kids as I think it's rated G, so it must be deemed not intense when dealing with the sad themes. Maybe it's just I'm too sensitive. The kid in the movie does a real good job and is very likeable, even though his character is suppose to have no friends. Great special effects too. But if you are a Dustin Hoffman fan or Natalie Portman fan, this is a fun movie that I don't remember having much fanfare. I'm happy I discovered this movie.

Dustin Hoffman plays Mr. Edward Magorium, the owner of the magical toy store rightfully named Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium. I'm not a huge fan of the movie because of the magic. It's not the witty lines, the family-friendliness or even the character I identify most with, Natalie Portman's Molly Mahoney. It's Mr. Magorium. Molly Mahoney (Natalie Portman) I identify most with Molly Mahoney because she also plays piano. The song she knew best as a child is still, today, the only song she can perform. She feels stuck - or unable to go further with her talent, skills, etc. in life. She believes more in others than herself. She has a very difficult time saying goodbye. I share all of this with Mahoney so that when Mr. Magorium is there for her, it feels like he's speaking to me too. Mr. Magorium (Dustin Hoffman) Mr. Magorium is 243 years old and preparing to "depart." He explains that a light bulb dies, but he...shall depart. A beautiful way to look at a sad situation. He plans to give the toy store to Mahoney upon his departure, but Mahoney simply can't take the responsibility because she doesn't believe in herself. Mr. Magorium spends a good amount of time encouraging Mahoney and Eric (a shy, hat-collecting boy who struggles making friends but helps out at the store). He tries to impart wisdom and encouragement to them both so they will believe in themselves and embrace the bravery he knows they need in life's journey. I cry when Mr. Magorium departs. My heart pours from my tear ducts and I can't help but feel sad. When Mr. Magorium is saying his farewell to Mahoney, he explains: "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.'" His final line to Mahoney is, "Your life is an occasion. Rise to it." By this point, I'm an emotional wreck. I've watched this movie a thousand times, and it was just recently I finally figured out why it is that I can't accept the departure of Mr. Magorium or any of my loved ones in real life. I can't imagine a world without my loved ones in it - the world is the magical place it is because they're here, now, with me. I can't make up for their absence and can't recreate the magic they've blessed the world with. The idea of them no longer living life with me is overwhelming and I'm not ready to accept it. I'm not sure if I ever will be, but I know I will always turn to this movie in difficult times to find a spark of encouragement, a light of hope and a few rays of sunshine to part my dark clouds. "We must face tomorrow, whatever it may hold, with determination, joy and bravery." -Mr. Edward Magorium (Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium)

Best Dustin Hoffman move he ever made.

This movie has such amazing dialogue and heartfelt acting, you can't help but feel like a starry eyed kid again. This film is magical and delightful, yet hard hitting when it comes to moving on past life's obstacles. It's a film for adults and children, the comical and serious. Your heart yearns for the characters and you can't help but want the toys to live on forever. When my visual arts assignment called for us to sketch out a story board of a 30 second film scene, I chose Mr. Magorium's full departing monologue to Mahoney which resulted in covering a several minute scene through story board. My class had never seen the film except my professor who started crying when he saw my drawings. I offered to play the film scene on youtube for the class, and afterwards, the whole class was crying. Many went out to see the film afterwards and said they loved it. I highly recommend this film for anyone who needs a boost up in life, needs comfort and reassurance, and needs a reminder that they matter in this crazy world. Love it for its fun and beautiful scenes, treasure it because its underlying message was written for you.

My most favorite movie ever!

Before I bought this film I read the reviews here. Most were very enthusiastic but a few were strangely antipathetic, suggesting that this was 'just' a movie for young children and should only be watched in the company of that demographic. Having watched it several times - without infant supervision - I find it just delightful. It was clearly made with love and that quality pervades it at every level. On third and fourth viewing it still makes me laugh out loud. It reminds me that when I was nine years old I had a wonderfully creative imagination - later in life it became amazingly destructive, but it doesn't have to be that way. The performances are excellent - Zack Mills is wonderful as nine-year-old Eric - Dustin Hoffman as Mr Magorium is delightful and seems to be channelling Ed Wynn's bumbling Fire Chief from the 1930s (the voice of the Mad Hatter in Disney's Alice in Wonderland) - Jason Bateman is convincing as Henry the grey-suited 'counting mutant' and gives us a glimpse of Dudley Moore from the 1960s when Henry tries pretending - Natalie Portman is enchanting as Molly Mahoney, pianist, composer and reluctant magical emporium proprietor, her fluid movement showing her early training as a dancer. I love the idea of a toyshop where all the toys are encouraged to play with the customers. I particularly like the self-assembly wooden dinosaur which tries to eat a Frisbee and manages to be out of sight every time the sceptical counting mutant looks round. If anyone doubts that it is a magical toy store, surely the fact that if it's upset it can turn grey and wrinkly proves it is magical. At first I felt very sorry for the authors of the unfavourable reviews and assumed they must be suffering from cherophobia or even triskaidekaphobia complicated by acute arachibutyrophobia. Now I suspect these reviews are brilliant works of parody, written in the style of Henry the 'mutant', before he learns to pretend - congratulations. For me this film's abiding message is "Your life is an occasion - rise to it" or just possibly "Please deposit additional 35 cents."

unfortunately I must have mistakenly ordered incorrect disc as we are unable to watch in our region.

Un très bon film qui surprend par sa réalisation ! Natalie Portman prouve à nouveau qu'elle sait s'adapter à tous les rôles !

What a great story. Just buy it for your family and enjoy it. Dustin Hoffman leads a great cast of actors, young and old. YOu won't be disappointed. We've watched it numerous times and it's always fun to watch.