Magic In The Moonlight (DVD): Review

The Film

Magic In The Moonlight, a romantic comedy, set back in the late 1920’s, on the Riviera in the south of France. A story of an Englishman (Stanley, played by Conin Firth) asked to assist in unmasking a fraudster (Sophie, played by Emma Stone). A tale of a magician asked to debunk the claims of a psychic medium. Yet, as the story unfolds, the staid ways of Stanley are challenged by the possibilities presented by the colourful Sophie.

The obnoxious, and brutally honest ways of Stanley make for a great deal of comedy, and Firth brings a sense of sophisticated entitlement to his role. While Stone’s character provides an opposing personality. With all the smiles and slightly wry humour, one suddenly realises that there is a romance taking place between the characters, yet one wonders if they have noticed this fact, or that they are too caught up in their own little worlds and planning their futures.

Magic In The Moonlight is a delightful tale. It is well written, and with Woody Allen at the reigns, it is well directed. The setting is sure to leave many a viewer envious of the opulence on display, yet yearning to visit those locations and experience the serenity for one’s self.

The story is not without its ups and down, with a few twists thrown in to the plot for good measure, leaving the viewer with just enough uncertainty, that one would not easy predict the story too far ahead of where the filmmakers want you to be concentrating.

Magic In The Moonlight is somewhat lighter than Allen’s other directorial endeavours, making it a little less complex, and this would have it appeal to a wider audience.

Disc And Bonus Features

The disc is presented with a high bitrate, with no visible artefacts on screen. It can be upscaled to an HD screen via hardware or software if desired.

The soundtrack is in 5.1 surround, and while the type of film does not lend itself to any action, this does serve to broaden the experience of the viewer, helping to place the viewer in the environment along with the characters.

There are some trailers as you first play the disc, but other than these, there are unfortunately no bonus features included on the disc.

This film is will entertain and amuse, and those in South Africa can purchase it on disc as of 13 March 2015.

By Andrew Germishuys

Founder of SAMDB | Actor | Armourer | Tech Enthusiast With over two decades in the film industry, I'm a seasoned actor and skilled armourer. I hold numerous certifications in acting and filmmaking, complemented by degrees and diplomas in IT and technology, giving me a unique blend of creative and technical expertise. When I'm not on set or in the workshop, you'll find me immersed in the world of gaming and VR, fuelling my passion for cutting-edge technology. Connect with me: X / Twitter Facebook Instagram Mastodon Threads Explore my work on SAMDB IMDb

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