Magic In The Moonlight Review

The Magic Just Isn't There

I've always wanted to travel to exotic locations, namely ones in Europe. The stunning landscapes there would just be glorious to look at in person, not to mention looking at all the unique architecture several of those cities have. Magic In The Moonlight takes place at a location that reminded me of those exotic spots I eagerly desire to see, though hopefully any trip I take up there has a bit more substance to it than this underwhelming Woody Allen venture.

Colin Firth is one of those constantly delightful actors, especially in one of my favorite guilty pleasures Mamma Mia!, but I think his role here is a major reason why Magic In The Moonlight just doesn't work. His character, Stanley, is a magician whose pessimistic attitude towards life is supposed to make him a person that movie wants me root to for to figure out there's more to life than what's in front of him, but he's just do darn unlikable. Now, I don't have to like a protagonist in order to enjoy a movie, far from it. But there's no complexity to his rudeness, nor to any growth he undergoes in the movie.

Firth doesn't help by being bland in his performance, though I did enjoy one scene towards the end where he participates in the act of prayer. Thankfully, he spends most of his scenes with Emma Stone, playing a woman with psychic powers that tests the more pessimistic personality of Stanley, Stone, by contrast, is just brimming with personality and energy. Her spirit of disbelief, that a girl from such humble origins would wind up having such tremendous gifts, is fun to watch and Stone makes sure the conflicting emotions that come with that kind of specific spirit always shine through. The rest of the cast is sort of just there, but they do a serviceable enough job.

The technical aspects of this production are likely the best part of this whole film, especially the costumes. What is it about upper-class fashion from the 1920's that is just so radiant? Maybe it's the colors or design, or the fact that they always look superb on Emma Stone, but whatever it is, they do lend the production a sense of style that's hard to resist. I also thought the cinematography in the film was terrific, and was not surprised to learn that Darius Khondji, who did remarkable work on The Immigrant, was in charge of cinematography on this lovely looking production.

I wish the rest of the movie lived up to the quality of these particular aspects of the film, but it really doesn't, which is a shame considering how much I loved recent Woody Allen efforts like Blue Jasmine and Midnight In Paris. The script is just so lifeless, with few surprises and even fewer moments that will remain memorable after a day. Particularly noteworthy in its ineptitude is the ending, which resolves the movies primary romance in a manner that left a putrid taste in my mouth. Still, the film is far from bad, and honestly, I'd even go as far as to say it escapes being dubbed mediocre. I just wish it had the courtesy to do something more innovative with it's promising premise and tio-notch cast, especially considering how Woody Allen has been known for making "one or two" great films in his time.