source: Magic

Trailer—Magic

Magic

Go back to "The Twilight Zone" and we have the plot of the ventriloquist's dummy becoming the alter ego of the ventriloquist. In this one, Anthony Hopkins plays a magician who is on the skids until he introduces Fats, a dummy, who somehow connects with audiences. Fats is overbearing at times but really takes on Hopkin's subconscious desires. Of course, it soon becomes obvious that Fats is directing Hopkin's actions (meaning that Hopkin's subconscious is at the surface directing him). It becomes obvious that this "dummy" is going to be the destruction of the magician. He goes away to try to pry himself from Fats's influence. Of course, he can't see what is happening. He tries to connect with a lost love, but it isn't working. Soon things take an even more dangerous turn. This is a good but creepy film.

I can't understand the low rating this film receives. Certainly, it could have been a little tighter, but this outstanding early performance by one of today's eminent actors surely deserves better. And Ann-Margret added quite a bit herself. And Burgess Meredith was as good as ever. A better, mess-with-your-head, psychological thriller there never was. (POSSIBLE SPOILER) Right up till the end, I was left wondering whether Fats was a supernatural being (like Chucky) who had a soul of his own. Don't miss this one. And for goodness sake, give it a good vote!

MAGIC (1978) is another little classic of psychological horror from a great era of film. Richard Attenborough directs and Anthony Hopkins wows as the going-out-of-his-mind protagonist who develops an unhealthy fascination with his own ventriloquist's doll. I actually think his acting is superior to SILENCE OF THE LAMBS here as much as I love his Hannibal Lecter; his character is more subtle and has more depth to it. This small-scale story is a character study of a mixed-up man craving fame and fortune but struggling with the life changes it brings. Great supporting performances from Ed Lauter, Ann-Margret and Burgess Meredith, but the real star is director Attenborough, who brings the film alive with shadows, reflections and lots of magic-style tricks to unsettle and unnerve the viewer. This is one of those films I caught on TV as a kid and had to switch off immediately as it frightened me so much and it's still creepily effective to this day. 8/10.

Hopkins doesnt seem to mention Magic much. While it isnt the fastest pace movie around,it is creepy,thoroughly well acted,and I dare you to find a movie with better use of a harmonica/accordian in its soundtrack. But my all-time favorite thing about Magic is the puppet- "Fats". A truly overlooked classic character. FACT: Fats was designed by Disney employees,but Disney didnt want to be associated with such a dark film. Also,the films Production Designer went on to win several Oscars.

This was one of the first films I ever saw that absolutely creeped me out as a kid; I hadn't seen it in years and just caught it recently on Bravo, and I have to say that it still gives me the willies! Anthony Hopkins's performance is nothing short of remarkable (he's a great Lechter, but really, his first Oscar nod SHOULD have been for this film); his scenes with Fats - and the voice he provides for the character - still make my flesh crawl. If you can get past the low production values, and hang in there past the first 15-20 minutes (plus if you can actually find this in a video store), you're in for a pretty frightening psychological ride. Hey, DVD distributors, somebody pick this one up (and get a commentary track with Hopkins, Attenborough and Ann-Margaret!)

I have passed on this film several times in the past, and people told me it was better than I thought, so I gave it a try. I was amazed how great it was, Anthony Hopkins has never had a character with more energy, this was before he started playing rather boring characters. Although the film does have some plot holes, and there are some unintentional laughs(especially the death of Ben Greene, I couldnt keep a straight face), but Anthony Hopkins is so good he overpowers all of the weaknesses of the film. The film made over 40 million dollars at the time of release, and thats quite a lot for 1978, Im surprised the rating isnt higher, and that it doesnt have more votes. My rating: 7.5 out of 10.

Strangely neglected at the time of its release, this is a creepy and sort-of black humored character study of a man who, basically, splits his personality in two halves; imagine Norman Bates with a dummy fixation instead of a Mommy fixation and you get a general idea what is in store. The scene where Burgess Meredith asks Anthony Hopkins to make the dummy stop talking for five minutes is worth the price of admission. Plus you get brief glimpses of Anne Margaret's bare breasts! On the whole the plotting reminds me very much of a Jim Thompson novel. Not at all typical of the work of Director Richard Attenborough...unless to remember that as an actor in 1970 he portrayed real-life British Serial murderer & necrophiliac John Christie in TEN RILLINGTON PLACE (which was actually filmed in the exact house where the real-life killings took place!)