Magic Magic Movie Review

Alicia (Juno Temple; “The Dark Knight Rises”; “Killer Joe”) moves to Chili to join her cousin. However, things turn sour as soon as she gets there. She is forced to pass time with her cousin’s socially odd friends, one (Cera) seemingly obsessed with her, yet creating an awkward feeling after anything he says. What seems like harmless advances and socially odd games take darker twists and turns for Alicia.

We are all used to Michael Cera’s hilarious performances in such movies as “Superbad” and “This Is The End”. However, Cera shows us that he can very well perform under very different circumstances and as a very different character. Not only does he create a social awkwardness with the characters on-screen, he does the same with the atmosphere for those watching him. He is absolutely brilliant in the movie, creating a very good first half for this film. And that’s pretty much where it stops at; the first half.

Unfortunately, the second half of the movie is very disappointing. Where the movie becomes much more obscure and could have surprised us in numerous potential ways… it doesn’t. To top the whole substandard second half of the movie off, an even more unsatisfactory ending forced me to leave the Fantasia Festival (where I screened the movie) theatre rather pissed off.

I give this movie a 2 stars out of a possible 5, and that’s only because of Michael Cera’s amazing performance. Seeing his performance, then witnessing this horrendous ending is like seeing a new, delicious burger and anticipating its delicious taste… until you bite into it and realize it’s tofu.