Magic

Magic (1978)

Director: Richard Attenbourough

Cast: Anthony Hopkins, Ann Margret, Burgess Meredith, Ed Lauter

Memorable Line: "They'll put you somewhere dark and moody."

Magic has a premise that, in lesser hands, could have come off quite ridiculous, but doesn't, and it's largely in part to the persuasive script and performance by the lead, Hopkins.

The Plot of Magic
"Corky" Withers (Hopkins) is a low-rent magician who has limited stage presence when suddenly, while in desperation, comes upon both a gimmick and the confidence to make a big splash. When Corky brings a ventriloquest dummy into his act everything comes together and he's an overnight sensation. Impresario and entertainment king maker, Ben Greene (Meredith) takes Corky under his wing and guides him up the ladder. When Greene comes along with the biggest break with the only caveat that Corky undergo a medical examine, something makes Corky break and run.

Corky's flight takes him from the city and into his past. He returns to a woman who he loved from a distance while in high school (Margaret). Peggy is in an unhappy and soon to become unsuccessful marriage. Corky works some of his own magic and wins over her heart.

As his personal life is starting to come together, his professional life encroaches on him as Greene tracks to him back to his home town. Greene discovers the secret that Corky has been hiding and why Corky ran, but it is a secret that will ruin Corky professionally and personally. That secret part of him that knows that it must do what ever it can to protect itself and goes through with the unspeakable.

The Performances, Writing, and Director of Magic
The real strength of Magic is its convincing script. The plot is reminiscent of a Stephen King story, but like King, scriptwriter Goldman makes the outlandish seem plausible. Coupling the compelling script with Hopkins controlled, yet manic performance is a convincing combination. Hopkins plays Corky as a character with an edge and on edge throughout the movie.
Attenborough does a great job of keeping the pace up and balances out the dark side of Corky until it's inevitable. The supporting cast delivers the goods. Meredith shows he can play a well rounded and realistic character. The only criticism I might have is the performances is that Ann Margaret plays up the playful side of her character too much, but she is convincing in all other aspects.

Summary Judgment on Magic
Magic is a balancing act. One that depends on skill from the scriptwriter, director and actors. William Goldman brings his "A" game with the script, Attenborough keeps the movie from tipping into the absurd, and Hopkin's measures out his performance in a way that makes him both sympathetic and menacing. Some elements seem a little dated, but the movie has what it takes to work with modern audiences, too.