Lemony Snicket’s: A Series of Unfortunate Events (PG)

Netflix Gnomes often sneak into my account and add movies to my queue unbeknownst to me, rendering me shocked when I open the mail and discover something I know I couldn’t have selected. This had to be the case with my latest, as I had no recollection of ever wanting to see it or discussing with anyone its worth in entering my viewing history.

Released in 2004, “Lemony Snicket’s: A Series of Unfortunate Events” is not the type of movie I would normally seek out. As a thirty-something bachelor I had to do some quick research to learn that “Snicket” is a series of children’s books penned by American novelist Daniel Handler, based in a mold similar to the mega popular “Harry Potter” saga (which I loathe). I vaguely remembered the previews and concept and concluded this was not the type of film I would enjoy.

Rather than send it back, I decided to give it a shot and was pleasantly surprised by the result, which was an excellent story with an interesting plot and format, and superior acting by the three main stars – two of which are very young children and the third an accomplished superstar that I generally try to avoid.

The story is told from the narration of the fictitious author, a one Lemony Snicket (Jude Law) as he is typing the tale on antiquated typewriter and reading aloud the details. This is an unpleasant story, he forewarns, about the three young Baudelaire siblings; Violet (Emily Browning), an intuitive inventor, Klaus (Liam Aiken), a lover of books who commits to memory everything he reads, and the toddler Sunny, who communicates through nonsensical grunts that only Violet and Klaus can understand.  Sunny has razor sharp teeth and loves to bite things.

When an aloof banker named Mr. Poe (Timothy Spall) arrives, he glumly informs the children that their parents were killed in a tragic and mysterious fire that destroyed the entire Baudelaire mansion. As such the three children are now orphans. As they explore the dismal carnage of their former home, they discover clues and secrets about their parents. Questions about the deaths are raised and at this point, the narrator interrupts to advise it’s not too late to stop watching.

The children are sent to live with a distant relative whom they have never met or heard of – the peculiar Count Olaf (Jim Carrey).  Olaf resides in a dark and dismal house, surrounded by dead trees and rogue critters. It becomes immediately obvious to all parties, save for Mr. Poe, that Olaf is completely disinterested in the children (which he refers to simply as ‘Orphans’) and is only after the large inheritance from their parents estate. The oblivious banker grants Olaf custody and leaves. Olaf gives the children a quick tour, reminding them at the base of the tower that they are “not to enter under any circumstances” before locking them in their bedroom for the night.

Olaf is a narcissist with multiple portraits of himself adorning the walls of the house. He is also an aspiring actor who selfishly casts himself as the star of his acting troupe, all the while ordering the children to perform countless chores, treating them like servants. Olaf believes this to be acceptable as he has opened his home to the orphans. “All I ask in return is that you do each and every thing that pops into my head while I enjoy the enormous fortune your parents have left behind.”

Violet discovers a book on inheritance laws and the children discover Olaf’s true intentions – to murder them and claim their fortune. As the children move from one mysterious relative to another, averting disaster every step of the way, the only consistent is the pursuit from Olaf. “I’m gonna get you kids. No matter where you go. No matter what you do.  I’ll find you!”

Just sixteen and fourteen respectively, both Emily Browning and Liam Aiken appear to be on a collision course with stardom for decades to come. Their performances will render you astonished. The Australian born Browning is beautiful and Aiken the perfect sidekick, both wise beyond their years, and neither as obnoxious as the twerps from the Harry Potter films.

Jim Carrey’s on-screen in-your-face tomfooleries usually wear thin, but in the role of Olaf (which is actually several roles in one) Carrey displays a perfect blend of humor and vile as the despicable and ornery Count. Also featured are the comical Billy Connolly, the recognizable Catherine O’Hara and Cedric the Entertainer, and the legendary Meryl Streep.

My only complaint comes from the end, which was left open-ended for an obvious franchise of sequels (none of which have been made now nearly ten years later), which does bring the overall grade down a notch, but all in all, “Snicket” is a surprisingly pleasant treat. Kudos to the Netflix Gnomes.

– by Matt Christopher