Life, Lessons & Love

Wonderful Dysphoria

April 9, 2008

My first viewing of Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium was inspiring. It turned out to be uniquely appropriate timing—two years after my father’s death—since one of the principal themes of the movie is the culmination of Mr. Magorium’s life.

Although there are several inspired moments within the movie, by far the most poignant sequence takes place as Molly Mahoney (Natalie Portman), the toy store manager, finally confronts the reality that Mr. Magorium (Dustin Hoffman) will die:

M.MAGORIUM

(in a quiet sigh) oh, Mahoney...

MAHONEY

Don’t go.

M.MAGORIUM

My darling.

MAHONEY

I’m not ready. I’m not ready for it to end.

M.MAGORIUM

I’m sorry.

Mahoney sits down on a step.

M.MAGORIUM

When King Lear dies in Act Five do you know what William Shakespeare has written? He's written, "He Dies." That's all, nothing more. No fan fare, no metaphor, no brilliant final words.

The culmination of the most influential work of dramatic literature is, "He Dies." It takes Shakespeare's genius to come up with, he dies.

And yet every time I read those two words I find myself overwhelmed with dysphoria. And I know it's only natural to be sad, but not because of the words he dies, but because of the life we saw prior to the words.

I've lived all five of my acts Mahoney and I am not asking you to be happy that I must go. I'm only asking that you turn the page. Continue reading. And let the next story begin.

And if anyone ever asks what became of me, you relay my life in all its wonder, and end it with a simple, and modest, he died.

MAHONEY

I love you.

M.MAGORIUM

I love you too.

M.Magorium takes Mahoney by the hands and gets her up to her feet.

M.MAGORIUM

(he sighs) Your life is an occasion... ...rise to it.

He kisses her forehead and walks away.

Ultimately, a life is defined not by death but by the wonder found in the acts that precede it. Mr. Magorium’s words remind us to embrace the inevitable, celebrating the beauty of what came before while rising to meet the next chapter with courage and grace.