6.5/10

Woody Allen is back behind the camera directing and writing in his newest film about a magician (Colin Firth) who takes on a mission to try to debunk a supposed psychic medium (Emma Stone) as a phony. Magic in the Moonlight sizzles during a first hour that builds the mystery to the audience as to whether Stone really is a psychic or not. This question is interesting to us because of the wonderful chemistry between Firth and Stone. They are so well playing against the grain of how obvious Woody Allen builds romantic interests. There was a point in this film where i really wondered if these two become romantically involved because the first two acts of the movie focus on their rivalry instead of what they have in common. I am totally for this, and if the film had a better final act, it would’ve been a favorite for romantic film of the year. As it finishes, Allen gives us too many false finishes with turn after turn that makes the movie feel almost unfamiliar from the quirky and cute magical scenes between our two protagonists. The ending is done in a feel good way that only Woody Allen could do, but it’s too predictable. The movie plagues itself into that kind of inevitable ending because there is no possible opposite direction it could go. All of that aside, Magic in the Moonlight is every bit the charming fairy tale that asks the question if it’s possible to give in to belief over reason. The shooting locations are absolutely breathtaking and serve as the perfect transformation into 1928 French Riviera. It’s in that atmosphere where Allen creates the real magic of an eternal time machine through the lens of the camera. The setting makes this film feel like if it were black and white that it could actually be a Fred Astaire or Clark Gable film. Firth certainly casts the charm to compete with such Hollywood icons. He’s one of my five favorite actors today because he continues to show that there isn’t anything he can’t do. This film shows off more of his comedic touch which is something he began his film career with, but hasn’t had many opportunities to lately. He is extremely arrogant in this film, and only an actor like Firth can pull off a character with such crass and have us enjoying every minute he is on camera. Aside from Firth and Stone, the movie has a veteran cast of who’s who in film history. Marcia Gay Harden plays Stone’s mother, and pulls off another snobby upper class sneak. Eileen Atkins plays Firth’s aunt and hasn’t missed a step at all since The Hours and Gosford Park. The movie clocks in at 92 minutes, and doesn’t drag until the series of false finishes. It’s no secret here that the best parts of the movie are the scenes in which Firth and Stone are at opposites and try to one up the other. Allen’s peak has always been to write stories that are just barely interesting enough, and let the character performances push it even further. Magic in the Moonlight is nothing different. Mostly thanks to the intoxicating scenery and the natural-light cinematography that flourishes in the French countryside, Magic in the Moonlight does weave itself a spell. It’s a romantic charmer perfect for anyone who enjoys films of the past generation. I recommend it for a wonderful date movie for two people who appreciate style over monetary substance. Magic in the Moonlight is far from Allen’s best, but it’s the best punch he has packed in a very long time