Rough Magic (1997)

Unlike the little good movie I watched last week with Linda & Paul, this little one with Bridget & Russel is not that good: However, there is a lot of good things: the atomic fifties, the exotic Mexico and its Yavin temples (for SW fans only!), Prof. Slughorn, and for sure younger Bridget & Russel… The story is indeed not mold in hard science as there is indeed true magic expression: in that way, the movie recalls me of the one with Pénelope which mixes South America and magic. But on the other hand, the movie drags painfully in spite of its 100 minutes: there is a serious lack of rhythm and dynamism that hurts really the pleasure to meet again cool, light and gentle Bridget!

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!

And giving it a two was a real struggle. Almost magical on my part. This is the sort of lamebrain thing that has brought on Hollywood vomiting all over its own shoes. Or rather that has always had the place doing it to itself. It just loves mindlessness. Though in this case it has outdone itself. You had the feeling it felt restrained from being so earthbound. Needing a flying camera from 30000 feet through clouds. With an occasional reverse point of view underwater. Jack and Jill went up the hill to fetch a pail of film and Jack fell down and broke his splicer and Jill came tumbling after it and went home with her for a long tall dry martini.About the only thing I have seen this bad recently was Spielbergs The Terminal. Avoid both like the Bird Flu.

"Rough Magic" is a funny, sophisticated piece of fluff about losing and finding one's heart. Russell Crowe looks young and sweet. The Mexican Spanish spoken is entertaining, and Peploe's use of Mayan Indians and a kind of eclectic shamanism mixed with magic rings emotionally true. I loved this film and you will, too, if you are not too hung up on logic.