Desperate Acts of Magic

No spoilers here. Read & then go enjoy the movie.

Sometimes you hear people say about movies, "Well, they don't make'em like they used to."

This one is. Simple, fun, well-made. If you like romantic-comedies with a splash of magic, then pull up a seat and check this out.

I hear they showed this at the Magic Castle in Hollywood and that must have been a lot of fun.

A dash of romance, a lot of comedy and a little mystery make this movie easy to recommend.

Don't expect splashy CGI effects, those are not here. But there are some pretty impressive magic tricks to see. Earlier this year the movie "Now You See Me" came out and it was fun for almost the opposite reasons that this is fun. That was just outlandishly silly and as long as you let yourself go with it, it was enjoyable.

This is not outlandish, it's just honest entertainment made with good integrity.

Apparently it's up on iTunes now, so that probably means it's up pretty much everywhere. I would recommend this.

It's a low budget flick with really goofy music that brings it down a peg. It's the kind of music you hear in a goofy kid's movie with clowns.

It tries to be a bigger movie but doesn't get there. Part of the problem (besides the goofy music) is that it tries to be too pithy, and the writer just isn't that talented. (Sorry)

So the story line is kinda dumb, but overall, the movie has some heart so you'll probably overlook that. I guess the way I can describe the movie is that it's cute.

None of the individual parts (acting, directing, writing, music) would win awards, but taken together it becomes a harmless moderately entertaining flick.

Great characterizations by actors who clearly play ensemble well. Not only the leads but the supporting players are well-fleshed out and thoughtfully integrated into the storyline (unlike, for example, extras playing space fillers). There are archetypes - especially the needy momentary girlfriend - but archetypes are based on truth, and a needy, strangling semi-significant other is not a rare occurrence (unfortunately - yeah, I've been there, seen that). The self-centered buddy whose world view consists of the universe rotating around his ass is also not a big stretch - neither is his coming through in a pinch. The plot lines are clever and realistic. The humor that suffuses this movie is genuinely funny and uncontrived. I recommend highly!

Okay, so this film is NOT going to win an Oscar for Best Picture. But it IS much fun. I found The characters are believable, and I enjoyed seeing actual magic that was performed without special effects. Some may think it mundane. In a world that has come to view Criss Angel as the epitome of "magic," perhaps a small story about folks who don't levitate seems too tame. Maybe the writers poke a little too much fun at the professional magician. Yet, if you cannot laugh at yourself, then you lead a sad life. This film may not be everyone's "cup of tea." But, then again, neither is magic. However, if you enjoy magic, magicians, or just want to have some fun, please go see it!