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 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 Productions,Perdido Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The script references at least three Queen (I)' songs: "Made in Heaven", "A Kind of Magic," and "It's Late".

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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

It All Depends On You
Written by Lew Brown, Buddy G. DeSylva (as B.G. DeSylva) and Ray Henderson
Performed by Ruth Etting
Courtesy of Columbia Records by arrangement with Sony Music Licensing

User Reviews

A Starchy Rom-Com

I saw another Woody Allen film, "Wonder Wheel" just the other day. I was overwhelmed by Kate Winslet's performance even if the film is not one of Allen's best, Kate Winslet makes it a must so I started searching for other Woody Allen films that I may have missed. Magic in the Moonlight (2014) I didn't even know this movie existed and it has Colin Firth in the lead. Colin Firth has been a favorite actor of mine since Apartment Zero (1988) and Emma Stone won the Oscar last year. I organized my evening to enjoy every minute of this unexpected treat. Well. the film looks wonderful and it has Eileen Atkins in it but the romantic aspect of the tale left me completely cold. Emma Stone projects discomfort more than anything else and Colin Firth performs as if he was on a stage. Every line is recited and their chemistry is also acted. By not believing in them the entire film felt like a plodding attempt at something that never materializes. Maybe next time.