Rough Magic (1995)

Set in the 1950s, Rough Magic tells the story of what happens when a pretty apprentice magician goes to Mexico to escape her fiancé, a wealthy politician, and to find a Mayan shaman who ... See full summary »

Director:

Clare Peploe

Writers:

James Hadley Chase (novel), Robert Mundi (screenplay) (as Robert Mundy)

Stars:

Bridget Fonda, Russell Crowe, Jim Broadbent

2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bridget Fonda	...	Myra Shumway
Russell Crowe	...	Alex Ross
Jim Broadbent	...	Doc Ansell
D.W. Moffett	...	Cliff Wyatt
Kenneth Mars	...	Magician
Paul Rodriguez	...	Diego
Andy Romano	...	Clayton
Richard Schiff	...	Marvin Wiggins
Euva Anderson	...	Tojola, Diego's Wife
Michael Ensign	...	Powerbroker
Gabriel Pingarrón	...	Telegraph Man (as Gabriel Pingarrón González)
Santos Morales	...	Policeman #1
Mark Morante	...	Clayton's Assistant (as Mark Del Castillo Morante)
Rene Pereyra	...	Policeman #2 (as René Pereyra)
Christopher Otto	...	Mechanic (as Chris Otto)

Storyline

Set in the 1950s, Rough Magic tells the story of what happens when a pretty apprentice magician goes to Mexico to escape her fiancé, a wealthy politician, and to find a Mayan shaman who will teach her ancient principles of magic. She is being trailed by a detective hired by her fiancé. He's a former photojournalist traumatized by what he saw in Hiroshima. The photojournalist joins her in the search for the Mayan shaman, and falls in love with her; the feeling is not reciprocated. When she finds the shaman, she drinks a potion which empowers her to do magic. The potion has life-changing effects on her and her relationship with her companion. They have strange experiences which are brought about by magic.

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Plot Keywords:

two word title | magic | shaman | love | politician | 

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Taglines:

In the world of magic, the hand is quicker than the eye and love is the wild card.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance | Fantasy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sex-related content and some violence

Did You Know?

Trivia

Originally intended to be released by Savoy Pictures, which went out of business in November 1995. The distribution rights were subsequently picked up by The Samuel Goldwyn Company.

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Quotes

Alec Ross: I'm your guardian angel.
Myra: You don't look so angelic to me.
Alec Ross: Well, you know, standards are down all over.

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Connections

Remake of Miss Shumway Goes West (1963)

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Soundtracks

El Balaju
Traditional
Arranged by Graciana Silva
Performed by La Negra Graciana
Courtesy of Discos Corazón

User Reviews

Not as bad as I would've thought....

I recently had to watch this movie for a study at UCSB, and, really, with the opening few scenes, I was not exactly thrilled. However, I did find myself feeling like I was actually in the movie at quite a few points, definitely immersed, experiencing a sort of flow, and had elicited in me quite a noticeable emotional response.

Truly, I have found that anything with R. Crowe in it is usually frigging awesome, and I had never before experienced a movie with B. Fonda, who in this movie is irresistibly cute!

I found out after the study that I was in the "female/romance" category, and was subjected to two more movies which were no more than mere trash. This movie, albeit old, was for me enthralling in the category of Romancing the Stone, though more realistic in some ways, and far more fake in others.

I definitely recommend this movie if you've got netflix or the like, it's a good movie to zone out to, but I'll tell you what, I had the urge more than once to have a smoke. I guess that's what one would expect from a movie set in the 50's. Enjoy!

Details

Country:

UK USA France

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 May 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Rough Magic

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$59,026, 1 June 1997

Gross USA:

$247,202

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$247,202

Company Credits

Production Co:

Union Générale Cinématographique (UGC), Recorded Picture Company (RPC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1