The Magician (2005/I)

Director:

Scott Ryan

Writer:

Scott Ryan (writer)

Release Date:

29 September 2005 (Australia)

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Tagline:

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

Plot:

Awards:

3 wins & 2 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		writer

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
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

• Hopscotch Productions (2005) (Australia) (theatrical)
• Trinity Filmed Entertainment (2005) (UK) (theatrical)

Other Companies

• Mana Music  music supervision

Runtime:

85 min

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

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

Filming Locations:

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Company:

Blue-Tongue Films

Trivia:

The film was made over a year with about ten full shooting days

Soundtrack:

Fog

Spectacular Debut

Scott Ryan has fashioned a spectacular debut film on literally the sniff of a wet rag. The Magician displays a level of ingenuity and confidence rarely seen in the Australian film industry. This film certainly makes a mockery of all the crud that has been churned out lately with significant AFC funding.

The Magician is a very funny mockumentary about a hit-man, Ray. The film is really nothing more than a series of vignettes which show Ray carrying out his occupation and chatting with the documentary filmmaker, Max. This film really should have been an exercise in boredom. However, The Magician manages to be one of the most entertaining Australian films to see the light of day in a long time, almost entirely due to the efforts of writer/director/actor Scott Ryan. Scott Ryan is mesmerising as Ray. This character manages to be abhorrent, hilarious and strangely moral without ever slipping into parody. As well as making a convincing hit-man, Ray is also the perfect mouthpiece for Ryan's witty jabs at everything from the legalisation of drugs, to the prevalence of gays in Hollywood.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of the film for me is that it is so Australian-centric, for want of a better word. This film isn't trying to imitate Tarantino (like ever other debut film featuring a gun fight), nor is it making a desperate grab for international attention, like most of the dreary "quirky" (i.e. crap) comedies receiving funding from the government. The result is a highly distinctive film that feels completely original.

There are a couple of minor problems with the film that most likely stem from the tiny budget. With the exception of Scott Ryan's fine performance, and perhaps Ben Walker's engaging turn as Tony, the other actors are clearly amateurs. The character of Max is also somewhat perplexing. There is no explanation for his rather amoral and perversely non-judgemental approach to documentary film-making. The extensive use of Max's hand-held camera is also somewhat disorientating to begin with. My biggest complaint would have to be the film's ending, which seems forced and came around much too quickly.

I'm glad that films like The Magician can still get made in this country and I hope that it works as a calling card for the outrageously talented Scott Ryan. I'm really perplexed why it (or "Wolf Creek" for that matter) didn't win a swag of AFI awards. I guess that both films made the mistake of actually being entertaining.