Short films are experimental films by nature. They breathe freely because there’s no fear of failure. Artists and filmmakers take full liberty with their creative freedom in these films. Moreover, short films often serve as launch pads for successful feature films. And usually, these films are guided by a single theme, which makes them all the more cohesive.
The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar is a fitting example, as it is based on a short story of the same name by Roald Dahl.
The 39-minute film is a story told like a play. It is neither a high-octane drama nor a coming-of-age story. However, it stays with you long after it is over. From start to end, the plot feels like a cohesive construction.
As the film opens with an old Henry Sugar talking about himself. He describes himself as he is, a young, rich miser. The only reason he did not marry was that he did not want to share his wealth with his wife.
You cannot help but hate him for being a conceited, rich miser. But, as the film progresses, you realise that his love for money and compounding it without any effort is just a prelude to his journey of transformation. Gambling is one thing he counts on, even if it means cheating a little.
By sheer luck, he discovers a book that fascinates him. It describes a true account of a magician (Imdad) who could see without using his eyes. Additionally, it also states how he acquired this power.
Imdad pursues a yogi who was known to levitate for hours using his yogic power. The yogi, offended by Imdad’s intrusion, hits him with a rock. But later, he repents it. So, he tells Imad how to meditate. And Imad discloses this information to the author.
The blind magician, Imdad Khan’s character, is loosely based on a Kashmiri magician named Khuda Bakhsh. He was known far and wide for getting his eyes sealed and performing tricks.
The film shows Imdad Khan’s journey to mystical power as Henry reads the book. He came to know how Imdad meditated until he perfected his craft.
So, Henry follows in the shoes of Imdad Khan. His sole motive is to develop abilities that can help him multiply his assets. Precisely, he wants to be able to see through the cards in five seconds. That’s the easiest way of multiplying his money in casinos.
So, he meditates like Imdad, relentlessly for years. Finally, he perfects the craft of reading the cards without seeing them in under 5 minutes. He goes to a casino and makes a hell of a lot of money by calling the hardest shots. He draws attention too.
But the money doesn’t bring him peace. In fact, he resents the wad of notes lying in his room. The silence that he pursued for so long has changed him unknowingly.
It is visible in a scene where Henry Sugar drops the notes one by one for the people passing the street below. It shows us how money creates chaos and noise. And that Henry is not attracted to either.
Loud noises, honking and traffic sounds totally capture the chaos that money can create. And we see Henry move inside his house into the silence.
But the next scene is even better. A police man knocks on Henry’s door and knocks some sense into him. He chides Henry, in the most rude and brash manner, for wasting money and creating chaos on the street. He could have donated it to the orphans or the destitute.
And that’s how purpose shows up in Henry’s life. He decides to help the orphans and the needy through his new skill. He makes money in casinos and donates it to charity via systems he created with the help of his accountant. And he dedicates his life to this purpose.
Throughout the film, there are no major moments of conflict. Instead, it is a transformative journey of a person blinded by wealth and greed into a philanthropist and yogi.
Another thing, the short story has been made like a theatre play. And with Benedict Cumberbatch in the titular role, the film kills it.
Throughout the film, the characters claim that it is based on the life of a real person, a rich Robin Hood. We can’t help but wonder, really?
You can watch it on Netflix.