Review of Magic Magic (2013) by Fernando A — 21 Dec 2013

Sebastián Silva's "Sound of My Voice" to his own "Crystal Fairy's" "Another Earth", "Magic Magic" was one of two Silva works to premiere at Sundance this year, and it's the edgiest, weirdest, most provocative piece of art he's yet to produce. Which is to say, it's damn frustrating; in a good way to some, maybe not so much to others (especially the abruptness of the ending.) But everything up to that point operates as a token going into the third act, where the totally-not-quirky grimness and sadistic nature of the characters in "Magic" come back haunted, only they're fatally plaguing the wrong person. Without spoiling anything I'll just say it doesn't end well. "Magic Magic" could have been a cut-and-dry metaphor for abortion, but Silva leaves all the meaning of his story open water for chilling interpretation.

Silva is a new protege. And Juno Temple, no stranger to upsetting third acts herself (see: "Killer Joe"), makes you sympathize with her protagonist's debilitating mindset. She comes off as kind of weak and bitchy early on, but that goes away as the tension erodes. How? With, get this, mood. As in "Crystal Fairy" Silva uses the environment -- weather, animals, local natives, etc. -- to create atmosphere that feels familiar yet alluringly out of place. You'd get out if you didn't already feel sucked in. "Magic Magic" is cinematic ambiance as subversive omen. (80/100).