Magic in the Moonlight

Confession: I can't remember seeing a movie from writer-director Woody Allen that I didn't like. Some are better than others, but all are intriguing in their own way. This entrancing romantic comedy falls somewhere in the middle. Set in 1928 in the south of France, the plot revolves around the efforts of Europe's most acclaimed magician to debunk a beautiful young American who purports to be a spiritual medium. Responding to a plea from his longtime friend/fellow conjurer (Simon McBurney), acerbic Stanley Crawford (Colin Firth) arrives at the villa of gullible Grace Catledge (Jacki Weaver), who is eager to reconnect with her late husband via séances conducted by clairvoyant Sophie Baker (Emma Stone), who is traveling with her protective mother (Marcia Gay Harden). In the meantime, Grace's sappy son, Brice (Hamish Linklater), is determined to woo and win Sophie's heart. Obviously inspired by George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion, Allen envisions cynically debonair Stanley as a misanthropic Henry Higgins whose dyspeptic demeanor is so brashly arrogant that he alienates everyone. As an astute illusionist, Stanley is so determined to unmask Sophie that he doesn't realize he's succumbed to her “magical thinking.” Featuring opulent period costumes, burnished sets, and a terrific soundtrack, this whimsical lighthearted rom-com is recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include a “Behind the Magic” production featurette (11 min.), a segment from the film's L.A. premiere (3 min.), and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release is a bonus UltraViolet copy of the film. Bottom line: a small extras package for a solid Woody Allen film.] (S. Granger)