Charlie was one many youngsters at the special premiere of the film
Christmas is always the busiest time of year for children's films. Kids who don't have much choice at the cinema during most of the year look forward to the chance to see entertainment aimed at them, stories which are designed to make them laugh and feel good about themselves. When Mr Magorium's Wonder Emporium premiered on Sunday, this was all the more important, because the first children to encounter this tale of a magical toy shop were those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Mr Magorium's Wonder Emporium is the story of a strange old man (Dustin Hoffman) who bequeaths his unusual store to its young manager, would-be composer Molly Mahoney (Natalie Portman). Unlike many modern kids' films, it doesn't seem to be built around product placement, but instead showcases a range of classic toys which all children can realistically hope to get access to.
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Every parent knows that getting kids to sit through an hour and a half long film can be a nightmare, but Mr Magorium seemed to hold the attention of its young viewers without difficulty. Some clearly found the experience tiring but all reported that they're enjoyed it. As a further treat, they were given special Mr. Magorium goody bags to take away with them.
The screenings were organised by Barnardos, which works with around 115,000 children in the UK who, for various reasons, are facing difficulties in life. If you would like to know more about Barnardos and how you can help children like these, visit the link below. Barnardos.
