Review: The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, The Swan, The Rat Catcher, Poison

Here, I reviewed Wes Anderson's collection of four new Short films based on author Roald Dahl's The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More (1977).

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The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar

Benedict Cumberbatch as Henry Sugar

I loved The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar so much. I wish it were a little longer. I could have stayed in the wonderful little world of Henry Sugar forever. Clocking in at only 40 minutes, Wes Anderson uses the most of his face-paced, stylistic tone to whisk us through the breezy world of Henry Sugar (played by an incredible Benedict Cumberbatch). Anderson uses his characters in all four of his new Short films to speak the narration, like running a marathon. There's a sense of spiritual growth at the story's core, while the costume and production designs in this Short are some of the best I've seen this year for cinema. Henry Sugar opens into Anderson's jewel box of gorgeous set pieces, moving cameras, witty humor, and delightful storytelling. On top of Cumberbatch's superb performance are excellent performances from Ralph Fiennes, Dev Patel, and Ben Kingsley. Anderson moves his 40-minute Short in record speed, keeping the viewers engaged and our hearts open to this delightful story. Henry Sugar follows a variety of stories in one. The main storyline has to do with Henry Sugar (Cumberbatch) discovering a book that teaches him how to see through objects and predict the future. What Henry Sugar does with all of his earnings from playing blackjack on your own. The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar is truly wonderful indeed.

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar is Rated PG (Parental Guidance) Smoking

Now Streaming on Netflix

Directed by Wes Anderson

Starring Ralph Fiennes, Benedict Cumberbatch, Dev Patel, Ben Kingsley, and Richard Ayoade.

The Swan

Actors Rupert Friend and Asa Jennings

The Swan is dark, breathtaking, and also heartbreaking. Wes Anderson's second Short is a complete 180 from his previous one. The Swan's tone and storyline are much darker and more tragic. Clocking in at a brisk 17 minutes, The Swan studies how trauma stays with an individual for years. Here, we follow a small, brilliant boy, Peter Watson, who loves nature and birds. Actors Rupert Friend and Asa Jennings both play Watson. Friend does the narration for this Short and is an older version of Watson looking back on this traumatizing event in his life. Jennings plays the younger version of Watson when that fateful event occurs. Jennings does not have any speaking roles, but his body language and acting chops are excellent throughout. The story follows Peter Watson, who is brutally tormented through a series of events by two large, idiotic bullies. One of these events involves the bullies strapping Watson down on train tracks, while the other involves a swan and a gun. I won't go into the heartbreaking events involving the swan. That's for you to uncover yourself. The Swan is extremely minimalistic in nature, but the moving set pieces and dark storyline kept me engaged. In the end, my heart was a little broken.

The Swan is Not Rated (NR)

Now Streaming on Netflix

Directed by Wes Anderson

Starring Rupert Friend, Asa Jennings, and Ralph Fiennes.

The Rat Catcher

The third feature, The Rat Catcher, is chock-full of screwball comedy. The Rat Catcher is probably the weakest of the four, but it's still a hilarious and oddball cinematic treat from Wes Anderson. Actors Richard Ayoade, Ralph Fiennes, and Rupert Friend showcase their comedic chops in this 17-minute-long Short film. While Fiennes lets his freak flag fly high as the eccentric "Rat Man." Our story follows a small English village that has a rat problem and needs to get rid of them. A reporter (Ayoade) and a mechanic (Friend) listen to Fiennes' wild tales of how he outwits his prey. Anderson uses some of his cheeky stop-motion in this Short. There is also a quick bit of comedic horror, shown through a series of close-up shots. Overall, The Rat Catcher is a breezy mix of quirky humor and bizarre storytelling.

The Rat Catcher is Not Rated (NR)

Now Streaming on Netflix

Directed by Wes Anderson

Starring Richard Ayoade, Ralph Fiennes, and Rupert Friend.

Poison

Actors Dev Patel and Ben Kingsley

Poison is intense, fast-paced, and nail-biting. How Dev Patel can speak so fast is truly insane. Last but not least is Wes Anderson's final Short, Poison, from Roald Dahl's The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More (1977). Poison is a race against the clock to save an Englishman (Benedict Cumberbatch) who had a poisonous snake slither underneath his covers and onto his stomach. Cumberbatch's fellow associate (Patel) and a local doctor (Ben Kingsley) race to save him from being bitten by the deadly reptile. The tension will send an adrenaline rush through your veins during this fast-moving 17-minute Short feature. Poison is a manically written feature that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Patel's narration is nail-biting, while Anderson uses a series of close-ups and shaky cams to throw you into the action. Poison was my second favorite Short film out of the four. It's a lovely blend of thrills and chills that kept me fully engaged until the final frame. I hope Anderson makes and releases more Dahl Shorts down the road. As for now, take a bow, Mr. Anderson.

Poison is Not Rated (NR)

Now Streaming on Netflix

Directed by Wes Anderson

Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Dev Patel, and Ben Kingsley.