Hugo (film)

Lore & Background

The film is set in 1931 Paris and follows 12-year-old Hugo Cabret, who lives alone in the Gare Montparnasse railway station after his father's death. He maintains the station's clocks while trying to repair a broken automaton left by his father, believing it contains a message. His theft of parts from a toy store leads him to the owner, Georges, and his goddaughter Isabelle, who wears a heart-shaped key that activates the automaton. The machine draws a scene from A Trip to the Moon, revealing Georges as the pioneering filmmaker Georges Méliès.

Reader's Guide

Hugo is significant as Martin Scorsese's first 3D film, a technical and artistic milestone that earned five Academy Awards for its visual and sound achievements. Despite its critical acclaim and 11 Oscar nominations, the film was a commercial failure, grossing only $185 million against a budget of up to $170 million. Its portrayal of Georges Méliès' life—from magician and toymaker to bankrupt filmmaker—is largely accurate, highlighting the rediscovery of early cinema history. The film also features cameos by Michael Pitt, Scorsese, and Selznick, and its soundtrack includes works by Howard Shore, Camille Saint-Saëns, and Erik Satie.

Did You Know?

• Hugo was Scorsese's first film shot in 3D.
• The film received 11 Academy Award nominations, more than any other film that year.
• Chloë Grace Moretz adopted a British accent for her role, and Scorsese initially believed she was British.
• The film's budget ran over from an initial $100 million to between $156 million and $170 million.