The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar
Movie, 2023, The 2020s, Set in A short: a man who sees through cards
The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar is #12 of 13 in release order and #12 of 13 in chronological order in the Wes Anderson.
The story
A rich man learns about a guru who can see without using his eyes. He sets out to master the skill in order to cheat at gambling.
The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar recap
The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (2023) adapts Roald Dahl's tale of a rich gambler who learns to see through playing cards by training his mind. Henry Sugar (Benedict Cumberbatch) finds a doctor's report about Imdad Khan (Ben Kingsley), a circus performer who could see with his eyes covered after studying with a yogi. Dr. Chatterjee (Dev Patel) recounts Khan's story, and Henry spends three years staring into a candle flame until he can read cards from the back. Roald Dahl himself (Ralph Fiennes) narrates as the author of the tale. Wes Anderson directs the 39-minute short for Netflix, where it was released alongside three other Dahl shorts, The Swan, The Rat Catcher and Poison. It won the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film. Coming between Asteroid City and The Phoenician Scheme, it stands alone and is Anderson's second Dahl adaptation after Fantastic Mr. Fox.
The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar ending explained
The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar ends with Henry dying after a lifetime of secret charity. Bored by easy winnings, he throws his first casino haul off a balcony and nearly starts a riot, and a policeman suggests he do some real good instead. He spends two decades winning at casinos around the world in disguise and funding hospitals and orphanages. He dies of a blood clot he could see coming through his skin, and his accountant hires Dahl to tell the story without revealing his real name. The film keeps Dahl's text almost word for word, spoken by the actors.
Where to watch The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar
The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar is streaming on Netflix in the US.
Ratings
IMDb 7.4/10, Rotten Tomatoes 95%
Where it fits
- Release order: after Asteroid City, before The Phoenician Scheme.
- Chronological order: after Asteroid City, before The Phoenician Scheme.
Cast
- Ralph Fiennes as Roald Dahl / Policeman
- Benedict Cumberbatch as Henry Sugar / Make-Up Artist
- Dev Patel as Dr. Chatterjee / John Winston
- Ben Kingsley as Imdad Khan / Croupier
- Richard Ayoade as Dr. Marshall / Yogi
- Jarvis Cocker as Canasta Player / Manor Guest / Friend of Henry Sugar / Casino Entrance Man
- Rebecca Cornford as Canasta Player / Manor Guest / Friend of Henry Sugar / Casino Guest / Hospital Nurse
- David Gant as Casino Croupier
- Martin Foreman as Casino Guest
- Agatino Trimarchi as Casino Guest
- Christopher J. Long as Casino Guest
- Richard Sisson as Casino Guest
Directed by Wes Anderson.