The Magician (2005/I)

Director:

Scott Ryan

Writer:

Scott Ryan

Release Date:

12 November 2010 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Tagline:

For the right money he can make anything disappear [Australia DVD]

Plot:

Awards:

3 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Scott Ryan	...	Ray Shoesmith
Ben Walker	...	Tony Rickards
Massimiliano Andrighetto	...	Massimo "Max" Totti
Kane Mason	...	Benny
Nathaniel Lindsay	...	Edna
Adam Ryan	...	Garage Victim

Directed by
Scott Ryan

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Scott Ryan

Produced by
Massimiliano Andrighetto	....	co-producer
Michele Bennett	....	producer
Nash Edgerton	....	producer
Gary Phillips	....	executive producer
Scott Ryan	....	producer
Mark Vennis	....	executive producer
Ben Walker	....	co-producer

Cinematography by
Massimiliano Andrighetto

Film Editing by
Nash Edgerton
Kristine Rowe
Scott Ryan

Production Management
Naomi Wenck	....	post-production supervisor

Sound Department
Damian Candusso	....	dialogue editor
Damian Candusso	....	sound effects editor
Paul Korber	....	sound editor: atmosphere
Ian McLoughlin	....	sound re-recording mixer
Sam Petty	....	sound designer
Blair Slater	....	foley recordist
Mario Vaccaro	....	foley artist

Visual Effects by
Nic Barnes	....	visual effects producer
Helen Clemens	....	visual effects artist
Elliot Goodman	....	visual effects artist
Michael Gracey	....	visual effects supervisor

Camera and Electrical Department
John Tsiavis	....	still photographer

Editorial Department
Luke Doolan	....	additional editor
Sarah Robertson	....	supervising editor

Other crew
Emren Kara	....	production lawyer
Clare Mirabello	....	production lawyer
Carol Riggins	....	animal trainer
Sally Steele	....	publicist
Ben Walker	....	script consultant

Thanks
Andrew Dominik	....	thanks
Joel Edgerton	....	thanks
David Michôd	....	thanks
Mark Brandon Read	....	thanks
Richard Wolstencroft	....	thanks

Production Companies

• Blue-Tongue Films
• Cherub Pictures
• I Will Films Pty. Ltd.

Distributors

• Advocate, The (2010) (USA) (theatrical)
• Hopscotch Productions (2005) (Australia) (theatrical)
• Regent Releasing (2010) (USA) (theatrical)
• Trinity Filmed Entertainment (2005) (UK) (theatrical)
• Regent Releasing (2010) (USA) (all media)

Other Companies

• Mana Music  music supervision

Runtime:

85 min

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

UK:15 | Ireland:15A | New Zealand:R16 | Australia:MA

Filming Locations:

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Company:

Blue-Tongue Films

Trivia:

All of the actors are amateurs apart from the filmmaker Max whom we never see on camera.

Soundtrack:

Black Lagoon

This is the story of Ray, who for the right money can make anyone disappear.

Although it isn't magic he uses, not unless you count a count as a wand. He is a hit-man, working in Melbourne, and this documentary style film recounts a few of his jobs. The condition imposed on film-maker Max is that he won't release the film until after Ray's death.

It is a strange film, but very enjoyable. The style is used to allow Max to question Ray about his actions. To have an outsider looking in wondering can Ray tone down the violence, or how much would he want in order to eat his own excrement. Did I forget to mention this is a comedy? The focus of the film is all on Ray. The rest of the characters are just their to provide him with something to interact with. And Max, the cameraman is never shown un-pixelated on screen, to protect his identity from the police no doubt. And Scott Ryan gives an excellent performance as the almost charming hit-man. His sense of timing is perfect and his delivery of the lines is spot-on. Of course he did write and direct it, so he should know everything about this character, but it is still a wonderful role.

It is almost a buddy road movie, with Ray, Max and a possible target traveling across Australia to locate some money. There is a great discussion about Wayne Carey and whether sleeping with your vice-captain's wife could ever be regarded as merely a mistake. Probably more likely to turn out to be a cult hit than a blockbuster, if you get the chance you should try to catch this film.