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 France

Language:

English French

Release Date:

15 August 2014 (USA)

Also Known As:

Magia a la luz de la luna

Filming Locations:

Côte d'Azur, France

Box Office

Budget:

$16,800,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$412,095, 25 July 2014, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$10,506,939, 7 November 2014

Company Credits

Production Co:

Gravier Productions, Dippermouth, Perdido Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Some of the classical music pieces heard in the movie's opening scene are Igor Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring" and Ludwig van Beethoven's "9th Symphony, 2nd movement." The Beethoven piece is heard again when Stanley's sleep is troubled.

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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. Later on, a telephone is right by the door, three or four feet away from where Sophie was when she asked 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 Manhattan (1979)

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Soundtracks

I'll Get By (As Long As I Have You)
Composed by Fred E. Ahlert and Roy Turk
Performed by Conal Fowkes
Courtesy of Conal Fowkes

User Reviews

Movie Magic

The basic story line/plot was the solid foundation for a very entertaining combination of very well-written dialog, a well-defined believable group of characters, fabulous interior and exterior period (1928) scenery, exquisite period costuming and music, and a terrific cast that brought it all to life.

Of particular note was the role of the aunt, so charmingly underplayed by a truly delightful veteran English actress. Her affected portrayal left me wanting more of her character (she'd be a welcome as-is walk-on for Downton Abbey).

The philosophic question regarding happiness that the story line raises had just the right subtle amplitude to leave one pondering, the humor fit the time period and the characters, and the whole tone and content of the movie had a lightness that elevated it's entertainment value.

A terrific and not often seen example of well-paced and entertaining story telling.