ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
November 15, 2007
A Marvelous, Magical Shop Tale
TFK chats with Natalie Portman, star of Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium
Do you believe in magic? Actress Natalie Portman does. She stars as insecure, piano-playing store manager Molly Mahoney in the film Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium, in theaters November 16. The emporium is a wonderfully whimsical shop where toys literally come to life! Visitors will find bouncy balls that bounce themselves, stuffed animals that hug back, and model airplanes that whiz through the air on their own, among other extraordinary toys.
 |  RAFY—WALDEN MEDIA, LLC/MANDATE FILMS, LLC Actors Dustin Hoffman and Natalie Portman create magic in the enchanting new film, Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium. |
But when Mr. Magorium, the shop's wacky 243-year-old owner, announces that he's giving the store to Mahoney, the normally vibrant place turns gray and quiet. Can the self-doubting shopkeeper find enough magic within herself to bring the emporium back to life? At this store, anything is possible.
TFK chatted with Portman about her wondrous new role, piano lessons, and the simple pleasures in popping bubble wrap.
TFK:Director Zach Helm said you were the first person he thought of to play Mahoney. What made you say yes?
PORTMAN:Zach sent me the script in a white box with a red ribbon and a beautiful note. He wrote that he wanted this film to be up there with all of the things that children love most . . . things like apple juice and raisins. It was just the sweetest, sweetest letter, so I was sure (that I wanted to be part of the film) from the first minute. The script was just so magical.
TFK:How did you step into Mahoney's shoes?
PORTMAN:Well, I learned piano for a few months before the film. I also took classes during the shoot, so that was a fun way to start learning (about Mahoney). Also, I thought a lot about my own experiences. I think everyone has had bouts of insecurities and the fear of losing someone you love. All of those things are pieces of Mahoney's life that I could relate to.
TFK:Have you been keeping up with piano since filming ended?
PORTMAN:Yes, I actually just started lessons again because I was really upset to put all this work into the movie and then just let it go.
TFK:Will we be hearing your first symphony any time soon?
PORTMAN:Oh, no way. No way. Piano is more of a fun thing.
TFK:What was it like coming to work on a toy store set every day?
PORTMAN:It was great. But I also think it was really frustrating for the kids (in the cast) because on a movie set, you can't really move stuff around. It's sort of the worst frustration because you see all these amazing toys, and yet, you can't do anything with any of them.
TFK:If you could take home any toy from the emporium, what would it be?
PORTMAN:Um, I don't know . . . (Laughs) I actually did take some home! But it was mainly those little squishy, bouncy balls and those lizards. They were kind of gross, slimy, squishy guys. Those were really fun.
TFK:Do you believe that somewhere in the world there is a real-life Mr. Magorium?
PORTMAN:(Laughs) Well, I think the film is good in conveying that there is magic in everything. It's really how you view the world. If you're looking for magic and beauty, then you're going to find it.
TFK:What was it like working with film veteran Dustin Hoffman, who plays Mr. Magorium?
PORTMAN:Dustin is hilarious. He's really spontaneous, and he's always creating. He's always trying to think up ways to make things more original. It was a great energy to be around.
TFK:The scene where Mahoney and Mr. Magorium are dancing on bubble wrap is great! What was it like to film that?
PORTMAN:It was so fun! That was Zach's brilliant idea. When you get to pop bubble wrap, it totally is one of those things where you think, 'Wow, this is such a simple thing, but it makes me so, so happy.' You know? It's just a great feeling.
TFK:What do you hope kids will get out of the film?
PORTMAN:I feel like (people today) are always on the computer or checking their phones or watching TV or playing video games . . . all at the same time. So it gets hard to pay attention and notice all the really beautiful, simple things. I hope that kids get excited when they see the movie and that they fall in love with the toy store. I hope it makes them remember the basic toys and why those can make us so happy.
