MAGIC

The movie does feel more outdated than other prominent psychological horror films of the era, but like all good thrillers it takes a while to get Magic out of your head.

Magic is one of those movies that for some reason or another I had never got around to watching, despite a stellar cast and crew, including star Anthony Hopkins, writer William Goldman and director Richard Attenborough.

Now that I have seen this film about a troubled magician and his disturbing ventriloquist's dummy, I certainly can understand why it has built up quite the cult reputation. Magic is creepy without sacrificing character development, and suspenseful without resorting to cheap tricks.

The best example is a brilliant scene midway through the film where Hopkins is challenged to silence his dummy for a full five minutes: despite ostentatiously nothing happening it's as suspenseful a scene as you'll ever see.

The movie does feel more outdated than other prominent psychological horror films of the era, mostly due to pacing issues and a sexual subplot that feels forced, but overall Magic is the kind of film that takes a while to get out of your head. And isn't that what all good horror films are supposed to do?

release: 1978

director: Richard Attenborough

starring: Anthony Hopkins, Ann-Margret, Burgess Meredith, Ed Lauter