Magic in the Moonlight (2014)

A romantic comedy about an Englishman brought in to help unmask a possible swindle. Personal and professional complications ensue.

Director:

Woody Allen

Writer:

Woody Allen

Stars:

Colin Firth, Emma Stone, Marcia Gay Harden

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Colin Firth	...	Stanley
Antonia Clarke	...	Wei Ling Soo's Assistant
Natasha Andrews	...	Wei Ling Soo's Assistant
Valérie Beaulieu	...	Wei Ling Soo's Assistant
Peter Wollasch	...	Stage Manager
Jürgen Zwingel	...	Backstage Fan
Wolfgang Pissors	...	Backstage Fan
Sébastien Siroux	...	Backstage Fan
Simon McBurney	...	Howard Burkan
Ute Lemper	...	Cabaret Singer
Catherine McCormack	...	Olivia
Eileen Atkins	...	Aunt Vanessa
Erica Leerhsen	...	Caroline
Jeremy Shamos	...	George
Hamish Linklater	...	Brice Catledge

Storyline

Stanley is a magician who has dedicated his life to revealing fraudulent spiritualists. He plans to quickly uncover the truth behind celebrated spiritualist Sophie and her scheming mother. However, the more time he spends with her, he starts thinking that she might actually be able to communicate with the other world, but even worse, he might be falling in love with her.

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Plot Keywords:

magician | press conference | south of france | medium | clairvoyant | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for a brief suggestive comment, and smoking throughout

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [France]

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 August 2014 (USA)

Also Known As:

Magic in the Moonlight

Filming Locations:

Côte d'Azur, France

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$412,095 (USA) (25 July 2014)

Gross:

$10,506,939 (USA) (7 November 2014)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Gravier Productions, Dippermouth Productions, Perdido Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Stanley gets most of his pessimism and philosophical view points from the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, who is mentioned more than once in the film.

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Goofs

When Sophie asks for a telephone in Aunt Vanessa's house, she is directed to the study, in the back. But later in the movie there's a telephone right by the door, three or four feet away from where she is when she asks for it.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Stanley: I don't understand. Is the conductor a blithering idiot? He went over the tempo six times. It's Adagio, Adagio, Adagio! It's not racehorse tempo.

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Connections

References My Fair Lady (1964)

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Soundtracks

Remember Me
Composed by Sonny Miller
Performed by Al Bowlly
Courtesy of Profil Medien GmbH/Neuhausen/Germany

User Reviews

"I believed that the dull reality of life is all there is but you are proof that there is more! More mystery! More magic!

I guess everyone of us had that moment in life when we realized that life isn't as magical as we had pictured it. That sometimes you can't talk yourself into believing something supernatural, something magical, but deep down you want to believe. What if you were finally convinced that there is more to the world than meets the eye? That is what happens to another at heart typical Woody Allen character Stanley, this time played by Colin Firth and he brings his English cynicism into the role. Known as debunker of myths and psychics he is enlisted by an friend to the French Riviera to prove a woman, that everyone is believing is a clairvoyant, to be fraud. As more time he spends with this woman Stanley starts to believe that she might be the real deal. and with that he is also turning into a nice person all of a sudden. Now that he's got something to believe in.

Colin Firth is as usual cool as a cucumber but this he is actually likable and quite funny thanks to the always funny dialogue penned by Allen. Emma Stone is cute and funny as always. But what is real beautiful is the scenery of the French Riviera and the cinematography of Darius Khondji who has managed to capture the essence of Paris, Rome and now the south of France.

The usual Wody Allen themes are quite prominent but still wrapped in this pleasant summer fare. Allen does get to tackle religion, belief, magic, the vast size of the universe and of course the unpredictability of love. Woody Allen is of the opinion that most of his films aren't perfect, that he never got to make the film he wanted. He has stated that only three of his films are as he envisioned them. In my opinion most of his films are perfect and flawless.