Edit: There are claims of "fake reviews" from reviewers without a prior history at IMDb. Yes, I don't generally go out of my way to write IMDb reviews. This isn't a fake or insincere review.
The new Magicians documentary finally rolls up the sleeves to show you exactly what is hidden there. The private lives of real magic-makers.
Magicians is fun, funny, poignant, and revealing- in fact upsettingly blunt to some aficionados (as I overheard it at the premiere). But that is the greatest strength of the film: honesty. In recent years, documentaries as a genre have become polluted with fawning love letters to the subject, political propaganda, and sacrificing authenticity for drama. This is no love letter. What you get is an unflinching look at what it takes to be a professional magician. Highs and lows, glamour and glam-less. No smoke, just mirrors. The six magicians (making up four acts) profiled were well chosen. All stage magicians, but they could hardly be more different, and they occupy totally different magic niches. The contrasting situations and characters creates a wonderful harmony against the thematic melody that runs through each of their lives. Themes of internecine conflict, of arrogance vs humility, and glory vs mundanity. It is here, where the themes are used to seamlessly bridge disparate magicians, that the masterful skill of the film's creators (Marcie Hume and Christoph Baaden) is the most obvious.
They say that half of a stage magician's performance is good storytelling. I can see why these six are great performers. They have a well of inspiration for great stories- their lives.
Rating: 10/10 would conjure again. Also, it has some really awesome magic.
The new Magicians documentary finally rolls up the sleeves to show you exactly what is hidden there. The private lives of real magic-makers.
Magicians is fun, funny, poignant, and revealing- in fact upsettingly blunt to some aficionados (as I overheard it at the premiere). But that is the greatest strength of the film: honesty. In recent years, documentaries as a genre have become polluted with fawning love letters to the subject, political propaganda, and sacrificing authenticity for drama. This is no love letter. What you get is an unflinching look at what it takes to be a professional magician. Highs and lows, glamour and glam-less. No smoke, just mirrors. The six magicians (making up four acts) profiled were well chosen. All stage magicians, but they could hardly be more different, and they occupy totally different magic niches. The contrasting situations and characters creates a wonderful harmony against the thematic melody that runs through each of their lives. Themes of internecine conflict, of arrogance vs humility, and glory vs mundanity. It is here, where the themes are used to seamlessly bridge disparate magicians, that the masterful skill of the film's creators (Marcie Hume and Christoph Baaden) is the most obvious.
They say that half of a stage magician's performance is good storytelling. I can see why these six are great performers. They have a well of inspiration for great stories- their lives.
Rating: 10/10 would conjure again. Also, it has some really awesome magic.