Unmissable: Wes Anderson's Roald Dahl Short Film Earns Record-Breaking Reviews on Rotten Tomatoes

Summary

Wes Anderson's The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar has opened to a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score of 100%, surpassing his previous movies.

Although the high Rotten Tomatoes score is impressive, it does not necessarily qualify it as the best movie of Anderson's career, considering that several of his other films have also garnered high ratings.

Anderson's distinctive style and aesthetic can polarize critics and audiences, with some finding his movies challenging to comprehend or overly pretentious, while others applaud them as masterpieces.

The Rotten Tomatoes score for Wes Anderson's The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar is out, and it sets a new record for the director. Premiering at the Venice Film Festival on August 31, The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar is a short film based on Roald Dahl's story of the same name. The narrative follows a man's quest to acquire an unusual skill in order to cheat at gambling. Anderson's previous venture into Dahl's works, the film adaptation of Fantastic Mr. Fox, was also well-received, but this latest adaptation has surpassed its performance.

Since its festival premiere, The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar has achieved a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score of 100% as of the time of writing. This is the highest possible score a movie can receive, and it also marks Anderson's highest-rated film to date. With nearly thirty years in the industry, Anderson has written and directed a total of 11 films and four short films throughout his career. Interestingly, his second-highest Rotten Tomatoes score is shared between Fantastic Mr. Fox and his 2012 film, Moonrise Kingdom.

How Does The Wonderful Story Of Henry Sugar Compare To Anderson's Other Movies?

While The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar may have the highest Rotten Tomatoes score for Anderson, it is up for debate whether it truly represents the pinnacle of his career. Other projects like Fantastic Mr. Fox, Moonrise Kingdom, and Grand Budapest Hotel have also received high scores in the 90s. Furthermore, it is important to note that Rotten Tomatoes' rating system is not without its limitations, as it categorizes reviews broadly as positive or negative. Consequently, the difference between a 90% and 100% score may not be as significant, as both indicate a high level of quality without necessarily implying perfection.

Another factor to consider is that Anderson's films often provoke divided opinions among critics and audiences due to their distinctiveness. These works often feature quirky characters, pastel colors, and experimental camera angles and aspect ratios. While some consider them masterpieces and appreciate Anderson's style and aesthetic, others struggle to connect with them. Some find the movies challenging to understand, pretentious, or too similar to one another. This is evident in the mixed reviews received by The French Dispatch and Asteroid City. Essentially, Anderson's films bear a unique and specific style that resonates differently with different viewers.

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar may have an advantage over other Anderson movies because Dahl's whimsical, allegorical, story-within-a-story tale aligns well with the director's style. This perfect pairing allows for a delightful interpretation of the classic story. Additionally, as a short film, it provides viewers with Anderson's signature style in a more digestible format. The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar retains Anderson's signature style while presenting it in a manner that enhances the overall enjoyment.