This was one of the best movies I'd ever seen as a child and really influenced the way I see the world and how I live my life now. As a child I related to Eric, having no friends and needing to learn to open to others by sharing my common interests with them. As I have grown older I have found myself becoming more and more Mahoney, and I only hope that I age to be as amazingly whimsical and carefree as Mr. Magorium himself.
I will note that it does slow down quite dramatically in pace towards the end but I do believe this is an attempt at showing how it feels to live without someone vitally important to you.
Regardless, this is an amazing movie with quite the catchy soundtrack and I really hope everyone at least gives it a chance once.