The film is set in 1931 Paris and follows Hugo Cabret (Asa Butterfield), a 12-year-old orphan who lives in the walls of a train station. Hugo’s father (Jude Law), a clockmaker, died in a fire, leaving behind an automaton – a mechanical man – which Hugo is determined to fix. He steals mechanical parts from a toy shop run by Georges Méliès (Ben Kingsley) to repair the automaton.
Hugo befriends Isabelle (Chloë Grace Moretz), the goddaughter of Georges Méliès, and together they uncover the mystery of the automaton. As they delve into Georges Méliès’ past, they discover that he was a pioneering filmmaker in the early days of cinema. The automaton contains a message from Georges’ deceased wife, revealing the importance of preserving the magic of cinema.
The climax of the film occurs when Hugo and Isabelle present the repaired automaton to Georges Méliès. The revelation of the automaton’s message brings closure to Georges, who had abandoned filmmaking after World War I. The film ends with Georges Méliès receiving recognition for his contributions to cinema, and Hugo finding a sense of belonging and family.
The final scenes include a tribute to early cinema, showcasing clips from Georges Méliès’ films and celebrating the magic of storytelling through motion pictures.
“Hugo” received critical acclaim for its visual style, storytelling, and homage to the history of cinema. The film won several Academy Awards, including Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction, Best Sound Mixing, and Best Visual Effects. Martin Scorsese’s direction and the performances of the cast were also widely praised. The film stands as a love letter to the art of filmmaking and the importance of preserving cinematic heritage.