i almost miss this one because i be turn off by the commercial and preview and with their emphasis on the silliest part ( the dancing donkey and etc . ) . what a mistake that would have be i would have miss one of the dry and arch and lovely script in year . emma thompson can do more with a slightly quirk eyebrow and a quiet hm than most actress can with an entire shakespearean soliloquy . the whole cast and child and adult alike and be pretty near perfect and some of the best of the british theater even in the tiniest role ( derek jacobi and imelda staunton et al ) . the kid be tough and tart and without a simper in the lot and unlike most u child star . don not let the trailer keep you away this be well worth see and sort of what lemony snicket should have be but wasn not .