Take Bellini (Ted Ludzik). He was “born in the basement” of the toy store. His “job is to build all the books for all the kids who come to the Emporium” and write down Mr. Magorium’s story. His life is literally surrounded by the store.
Mr. Magorium, “toy impresario, wonder aficionado, avid show wearer”, has “been inventing toys since the mid-1770s”; although, the store is only 113 years-old. His life has been full so he does not feat death. He views death as departing. His life is complete.
In regards to “the Mutant”, Henry Weston (Jason Bateman) must start believing. He “misses a lot” of the wonderful things going on in the store, but eventually sees the “sparkle”. His life has been about books, numbers, and forms. However, this store makes him see life through a new set of eyes.
Ultimately, this movie is misleading. While we think it is about Mr. Magorium’s amazing store, it is actually about Molly Mahoney (Natalie Portman) and her life. In the beginning, she wants to look for a “new job”. However, Mr. Magorium “is giving [her] the store”.
Her life has been about trying to write “Molly Mahoney’s First” and play piano. Now she is “stuck” and he is actually trying to help herself unstick, although she doesn’t know how to yet. “With faith, love, this block, and a counting mutant, [she] may find yourself somewhere you never imagined”, and she does.
When she runs into Dave Wolf (Mike Realba) from college, she is kind of embraced. He wants to know about her piano playing, but she is still just playing in her apartment every day. Although she does not say so, she thinks she is stuck in this store, as well as with her piano piece.
However, to unstick herself, she must believe in herself, “the Congreve cube”, and the Emporium.
“The life we saw prior to the words” and the story after are the important parts of this movie. Death is hard for anyone to face. However, with death, life must be remembered. “Your life is an occasion; rise to it!” Amazing last words!
After departing, Mahoney leaves the store; she thinks she is not magical and, thus, wants to sell it. “She’s about to make a terrible mistake”, but the Congreve cube helps her change her mind. Her belief in the cube gives her the confidence and magical power to keep the store.
To embrace life you have to lose someone close to you. After Mahoney loses Mr. Magorium, she opens up and really starts living by believing.
Tropes from movies are always interesting! What do you think of this one?
A religious view of this movie could bring enlightenment to any reader.
Thanks for reading!!!