Inspired by Roald Dahls’ “The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More” Wes Anderson imagines the stories in his signature style, bringing to life some of the few Dahl writings intended for an older audience.

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar

“The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar” follows a wealthy gambler who discovers a book about a man learning to see without his eyes, a dream come true for a professional gambler. The film showcases Anderson’s whimsical style with quirky dialogue, dynamic scene transitions and Henry Sugar’s character evolution. It blends past and present tense in dialogue, creating a love-it-or-hate-it experience. The film’s instant set changes and pastel colors evoke a youthful Roald Dahl vibe while delivering a moral lesson as Henry Sugar transforms from a narcissist to a Robin Hood-like humanitarian. 

4 playing cards out of 5

The Swan

“The Swan” tells the story of a brilliant young school boy who gets harassed by two of the local bullies. In a saga of terrible tricks and schemes planned out by the perpetrators, Anderson depicts the reality that life isn’t fair. In an unfortunate series of events, the innocent boy escapes death at the amusement of his immoral enemies, who repeatedly toy with him. Anderson’s use of pastel colors starkly contrasts with the somewhat depressing tone of the movie making it difficult for the viewer to stay engaged. Nonetheless, “The Swan” paints a picture of a boy constantly struggling to do the right thing.

3 trains out of 5

The Rat Catcher

“The Rat Catcher” tells the story of a professional exterminator summoned by a local town to bring an end to their rat infestation. From the start, this film comes across as awry. The plot unravels in a multitude of directions, making it seem like events occur for no reason at all. The film comes to an unexpected conclusion, abandoning the initial mission of ending the rat infestation. However, the characters and their contrasting personalities provide an interesting dynamic that encapsulates the famous Wes Anderson vibe. 

1 ½ rats and ferrets out of 5

Poison

In a stressful, gut-wrenching environment, “Poison” tells the story of a man who encounters a venomous snake slithering its way onto his bed and taking shelter under his sheets. The short presents a rollercoaster of emotions, from the frantic reaction of his roommate to the desperate attempts by the doctor to save his life to the realization that no snake existed in the first place. Although the dialogue can come across as corny, Anderson keeps viewers on edge for the entirety of the film, making for a quick yet thrilling watch.

3 ½ bottles of chloroform out of 5