Give this little movie a break. It can actually be funny at times. Don't expect something deep and meaningful, but there are worse ways you could spend an hour and 45 minutes out of your life. Besides, it's got Russell Crowe in it.
27 Reviews
Unfocused Potential
NJCondon14 December 1998
The seeds of a good movie are there in "Rough Magic", a film with an excellent cast, an intriguing premise, and a great location. However, these seeds never really germinate, as the film fails to be convincing. As the movie progresses, the characters behave in an increasingly arbitrary manner while the events of the plot become similarly arbitrary. Thus, by the end, my willing suspension of disbelief was completely gone and I found myself bored. I think that the film was trying for the sort of magic realism found in movies like "Like Water for Chocolate", but the key to magic realism lies at least as much in the realism as it does in the magic. While "Like Water for Chocolate" worked because we believed in the characters, "Rough Magic" fails, despite some genuinely entertaining moments, because we don't.
Overall Rating: 1 1/2 stars (out of 4), or 4 (out of 10)
Overall Rating: 1 1/2 stars (out of 4), or 4 (out of 10)
It's got Russell Crowe, but....
Addie-729 September 2001
I got confused amid the on-again-off-again magic. Sometimes it worked, and Fonda could "magic" her way out of anything, and sometimes Fonda had to suffer the consequences of reality. I thought her acting was okay; I just couldn't figure whar her reality was. As for Crowe, it was nice to see him play a tender-ish character, but two things put me off. 1] He wore that damn fedora all the time, indoors and out. He only took it off to go to bed. I actually remember the '30's, and no men wore their hats so relentlessly. {He's more appealing without it]. And 2] I couldn't figure out his accent for the longest time. He is normally a master of accents -- the male counterpart of Meryl Streep in that regard -- but in this movie, I heard a touch of Australian, a snatch of regular British, some Chicago thuggish, and some New York. I never quite figured which accent he was going for, but probably one of the last two.
A great movie!
jack-28420 September 1999
When I first saw this movie I knew I liked it immensely, but I didn't really know why. I had to see it several times before I really "got" it. It's a very very different movie. The symbolism was a treat! Things which were shown in a fantasy-type way are things which happen in real life--e.g. bitterness being shown as an egg being laid that when hatched, is a venomous spider. In this movie, just about anything can happen! Love is magic but love can't happen with bitterness in the way; likewise, magic can't happen without love. The actors exuded the '40's style with finesse with the witty lines, and Bridget Fonda's costumes were exciting. I will surely watch this movie again and share it with others.
"Rough Magic" is so bad it's almost good...
intheivy22 November 2018
"Rough Magic" is so bad it's almost good...almost; it's so discombobulated and random that when I saw the movie, the phrase "rough magic" immediately became my go-to euphemism for something that's a drag, or something that's a combination "train wreck" and "hot mess." If you like the actors, if you like the premise, if you like "Miss Shumway Goes West," or if you're interested in seeing it, then give it a go; just remember, it's "rough magic."
Not as bad as I would've thought....
gueroslocos9 June 2008
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!
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!
Pointless Magic
Sam-802 December 2001
I've tried 3 times to give this movie a chance to get it's point across. It doesn't. As in most films Russell Crowe is in he gives his all but the story is pretty convoluted and doesn't give you much to care about. It gets pretty stupid towards the end. We kind of understood the owl showing up but never could understand the green lizard. The saving grace is the scene between Alec and Myra in the church and of course, somehow, Russell winds up dancing with his leading lady, something that happened in several of his earlier films. The beginning of the film Russell and Bridget are very Bogart & Bacall and the banter flows pretty well, even if we have heard it before. If you have the need to see Mr. Crowe there are better films to choose from. I'm still waiting for Russell to be cast in a good romantic comedy, something like "Bringing Up Baby" and Lauren Graham can certainly throw out the Katherine Hepburn lines to him.
magical realism, even outside of Latin America
lee_eisenberg5 October 2006
Usually, it might seem out of place to make 1950s LA the setting for something involving magical realism, but they pull it off here, with Bridget Fonda as an amateur magician going to Mexico to further her studies with a Mayan shaman. While the story mostly focuses on her trip down there, and how a detective (Russell Crowe) follows her, my favorite parts were the scenes with the Mexican guy, and what he does towards the end. When people in Latin America first started telling stories centering on magical realism, they probably never envisioned that! Anyway, "Rough Magic" isn't a great movie, but a good look at a part of Latin American culture that many people in the US unfortunately don't know about. Worth seeing.
PS: This movie will probably give you a new view of rabbits.
PS: This movie will probably give you a new view of rabbits.
There is no trick (dad)
leplatypus24 September 2017
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!
awfully awful
loydmooney-13 June 2006
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.
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.
Whimsical and unpretentious
birthdaynoodle18 July 2013
When I accidentally caught this on HBO many years ago, I wasn't paying very close attention at first; but as the movie continued, I became increasingly intrigued by its quirkiness. Based on the 1944 book 'Miss Shumway Waves a Wand', the story takes place in L.A. and Mexico, and follows magician Myra Shumway (played by Bridget Fonda) as she escapes from her sleazy, wealthy fiancé and falls in love with detective Alex Ross (played by a young Russell Crowe). Things become more surreal as elements of film noir begin to mix with magic realism.
Much of the focus is on what Myra describes as "that terribly empty space between my heart and my head" – that is, the balance between the power of intuition and emotion on one side and calculating rationality on the other. Practical thinking alone, we learn, leads nowhere good. Love, on the other hand, is a liberating force. Unfortunately, in an effort to invoke 'magic' in the film, the word is repeated too many times with an irritating lack of subtlety, especially by a snake-oil salesman played by Jim Broadbent. And that's the film's main weakness: too often it spells out its intentions and gives away its tricks. This said, I was still charmed by director Clare Peploe's daring playfulness. While the film isn't perfect, it has a lot of heart and feels a bit like a strange dream at times. The story takes some wild, unexpected turns and I was entertained throughout, even upon a second viewing. I couldn't disagree more with those who suggest Bridget Fonda isn't right for the role. She's fantastic! I find her quite believable and sexy as Miss Shumway. Russell Crowe is appropriately suave and Mexican American comedian Paul Rodriguez occasionally steals the show.
'Rough Magic' doesn't take itself too seriously. Its kind of fantasy feels both mainstream and eccentric in a way that reminds me of HBO's Tales From The Crypt, only it's romantic, rather than macabre. Check it out one lazy evening, perhaps with the company of some magic potion.
Much of the focus is on what Myra describes as "that terribly empty space between my heart and my head" – that is, the balance between the power of intuition and emotion on one side and calculating rationality on the other. Practical thinking alone, we learn, leads nowhere good. Love, on the other hand, is a liberating force. Unfortunately, in an effort to invoke 'magic' in the film, the word is repeated too many times with an irritating lack of subtlety, especially by a snake-oil salesman played by Jim Broadbent. And that's the film's main weakness: too often it spells out its intentions and gives away its tricks. This said, I was still charmed by director Clare Peploe's daring playfulness. While the film isn't perfect, it has a lot of heart and feels a bit like a strange dream at times. The story takes some wild, unexpected turns and I was entertained throughout, even upon a second viewing. I couldn't disagree more with those who suggest Bridget Fonda isn't right for the role. She's fantastic! I find her quite believable and sexy as Miss Shumway. Russell Crowe is appropriately suave and Mexican American comedian Paul Rodriguez occasionally steals the show.
'Rough Magic' doesn't take itself too seriously. Its kind of fantasy feels both mainstream and eccentric in a way that reminds me of HBO's Tales From The Crypt, only it's romantic, rather than macabre. Check it out one lazy evening, perhaps with the company of some magic potion.
bodily functions
pharaoh_hatshepsut9 August 2002
A delightful find.
mhollen2 February 2003
"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.
Misunderstood road movie, the upcoming star Russell Crowe and the strong sex appeal of Bridget Fonda!!!
elo-equipamentos27 January 2023
Unusual, exotic and unknown road movie that offers an adventure through the Mexican countryside at Maya's ruins (actually shot in Guatemala) in search for an ancient Maya's shaman magic portion which heals all the ills, by the American trio, a doctor, a fugitive woman and his bloodhound.
Everything began when an itinerant keen magician (Kenneth Mars) aided by his beauty assistant Myra Shumway (Bridget Fonda) sponsored by well-born and wealthy Senator Cliff Wyatt (D. W. Moffett), in an unharmful joke the magician comes to die unintentionally by Cliff promptly photographed by the cunning Myra, who disappears toward to Mexico, Cliff puts a bloodhound Alex Ross (Russell Crowe) at your neck, there Myra meets randomly an American doctor Ansel (Jim Broadbent) who sells a fake magic portion from ancient Maya's shaman, Myra stolen his money due she doesn't have a penny at your pocket for gas and food, then enters in the game Alex pretending help her.
Through their journey many weirdest things come along, including doctor Ansel reaching them, the next step is Myra meeting that Maya's shaman into the ruins at jungle aiming to get the portion's secret formula to sell it in industrial scale on America, there Myra has a meeting with female Shaman in a ritual drinking the portion he has a hypnotic trance that change its spirit, meantime Myra and Alex have a slight loving concern, however his suitor is coming to settle the marriage.
Rough Magic has a plenty of oddities, black magic which a simple Myra's desire someone becomes in a sausage, eaten by a hungry dog that starts talking, many strange things come to surface, unexpected affair also comes up, aside all weirdest things an average picture, mainly underlining Bridget Fonda's sex-appeal unsparingly!!
Thanks for reading.
Resume:
First watch: 2023 / Source: DVD / How many: 1 / Rating: 7.
Everything began when an itinerant keen magician (Kenneth Mars) aided by his beauty assistant Myra Shumway (Bridget Fonda) sponsored by well-born and wealthy Senator Cliff Wyatt (D. W. Moffett), in an unharmful joke the magician comes to die unintentionally by Cliff promptly photographed by the cunning Myra, who disappears toward to Mexico, Cliff puts a bloodhound Alex Ross (Russell Crowe) at your neck, there Myra meets randomly an American doctor Ansel (Jim Broadbent) who sells a fake magic portion from ancient Maya's shaman, Myra stolen his money due she doesn't have a penny at your pocket for gas and food, then enters in the game Alex pretending help her.
Through their journey many weirdest things come along, including doctor Ansel reaching them, the next step is Myra meeting that Maya's shaman into the ruins at jungle aiming to get the portion's secret formula to sell it in industrial scale on America, there Myra has a meeting with female Shaman in a ritual drinking the portion he has a hypnotic trance that change its spirit, meantime Myra and Alex have a slight loving concern, however his suitor is coming to settle the marriage.
Rough Magic has a plenty of oddities, black magic which a simple Myra's desire someone becomes in a sausage, eaten by a hungry dog that starts talking, many strange things come to surface, unexpected affair also comes up, aside all weirdest things an average picture, mainly underlining Bridget Fonda's sex-appeal unsparingly!!
Thanks for reading.
Resume:
First watch: 2023 / Source: DVD / How many: 1 / Rating: 7.
A little undiscovered gem. Polished, faceted and ready to adorn a "favorite" list of those who like to see beyond a pretty face.
mayamichael27 September 2006
"Rough Magic" is a little undiscovered gem. I came across it going through Russell Crowe's output and fell in love with it immediately. It was lighthearted, magical, elegant, whimsical, humorous, gently satirical, self mocking, yet meaningful all at once. But most of all it seemed to speak of something important in such an elusive way as to be completely incomprehensible. This is a hallmark of all mystical teachings; they seem to relate most mundane stories yet they keep calling you back for another look. It happens because the nagging feeling that you are missing something essential and of great importance doesn't leave you alone.
Over the years I have watched "Rough Magic" enough times for it to loose its freshness, but that has not happened somehow. Each time i see it i am delighted anew by the vivid locale, its true to the period costumes and sets, its music that is just right at every turn, its good looking international cast that carries the movie's invisible agenda perfectly.
Over the years I have watched "Rough Magic" enough times for it to loose its freshness, but that has not happened somehow. Each time i see it i am delighted anew by the vivid locale, its true to the period costumes and sets, its music that is just right at every turn, its good looking international cast that carries the movie's invisible agenda perfectly.
A wild movie
Scott-820 December 1998
Rough Magic is one of those movies that doesn't seem to be what it is, and at times doesn't seem sure itself what type of movie it is. It begins with a heroine on the run, and quickly becomes very surreal. I liked the characters, but the story wasn't quite strong enough to hold it all together, and it dissolutes almost completely at the ends, as if they ran out of ideas and decided to end it. Still, it's worth watching for the bizarre spins of events and some very funny moments.
Cute movie
toubabs24 January 2004
Russell Crowe is young and shows as much talent as in every one of his movie ! Bridget Fonda is as beautiful as ever ! The love story between them is very appealing and the touch of magic makes you smile ... The kiss in the air between Russell and Bridget is pure magic !
I liked it
sdrogue22 January 2003
I saw this in the theatre and on video, and recommend it in the theatre, a better effect... as far as the movie, I loved it, really, thought it was great and would definitely see it again...acting was good, production design was good and the story kept me interested and wondering what was going to happen next... Q
Definitely an undiscovered gem.
tt-678662 June 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This movie mixes enough of different elements to make it interesting; mainly magical realism and film noir, the 50's, Latin America. It is not perfect film, but it is a worth of one's time to watch. If you like Russell Crowe, this is a must see film. As always, Crowe is excellent in any movie he's in. His depiction of Alex (Ross) very subtly conveying his feelings to Myra is delightful to watch.
This was surprisingly refreshing a movie, while blurring with the lines of what is real and what is magic.
*** Spoilers **** Interestingly, while first being very suspicious of Alex's motives of wanting to be in her company, Myra's attitude chances towards Ross after the magic potion has taken the effect in her. Another interesting story plot was about she losing her heart and gaining it back again.
This was surprisingly refreshing a movie, while blurring with the lines of what is real and what is magic.
*** Spoilers **** Interestingly, while first being very suspicious of Alex's motives of wanting to be in her company, Myra's attitude chances towards Ross after the magic potion has taken the effect in her. Another interesting story plot was about she losing her heart and gaining it back again.
I liked it!
punfod17 May 2000
I happen to think it is a pretty good movie. It's got magic and love and Russell Crowe and it's nice. It's an entertaining love story, with a touch of magic. How can you not enjoy that? Also, did I mention it has magic in it? ;)
RUSSELL CROWE
psycholemming1 August 2000
Russell Crowe is the only good thing about this movie. Of course, any movie with him in it is watchable. This movie was saved from the terrible performances of the other actors (including Bridget Fonda who is generally a very good actress) by the mere presence of Crowe, who, as always, was fantastic. Can we give him an Oscar for every movie he's been in, please? Pretty please?
A wonderful movie with many layers of meaning
guruka27 November 1998
This is definitely the best thing Bridgit Fonda has ever done. Claire Peploe's little masterpiece was not appreciated by most critics, but I absolutely loved it. It's a film about magic. All the different levels and layers of magic - from stage illusion to multiple levels of reality and spiritual experience, to the magic of love. All the different levels and layers of magic are intertwined - woven together so that magic is a part of daily life. The film is witty, surprising, challenging and, above all, lots of fun. Now that it's out on video, don't miss it!
An eye-catching film of love and love-loss...
themeems19 October 2000
Russell Crowe can pull off the 1950's type of style without hesitation. This movie shows that nice, sweet, and caring side we didn't get to see much of in L.A. Confidential. Bridget Fonda's innocent way of looking at things is refreshing, though tainted at times. Though not a full on drama, this movie plays with love on much of the lighter scale, but still emphasizes the dangers in losing one's heart in a relationship.
What a mess.
neverwhere1927 August 2006
Dear, oh dear. Oh dear.
Even the ten lines of text that are required for these reviews is more than this film deserves.
Watching Rough Magic is like watching a whole heap of (not necessarily high quality, either) films from genres of magical-realism, 1920's/30's adventure, fantasy, atomic-power-angst, comedy, romance, coming-of-age and film noir all at the same time. On little sleep.
The resulting after-images in your mind would be a big jumbled, confusing, possibly brilliant somewhere, badly told mess. Or you can just watch this film and get the same effect.
I think the last scenes in particular are added just to show the audience that, 'yes we made a bad film but at least you weren't expecting *this*'.
And after watching this I couldn't shake the feeling that there was the potential for a brilliant film from all the badly fitting pieces. It will keep you guessing, at least, right up until the end. But only because you might be expecting a coherent story.
Even the ten lines of text that are required for these reviews is more than this film deserves.
Watching Rough Magic is like watching a whole heap of (not necessarily high quality, either) films from genres of magical-realism, 1920's/30's adventure, fantasy, atomic-power-angst, comedy, romance, coming-of-age and film noir all at the same time. On little sleep.
The resulting after-images in your mind would be a big jumbled, confusing, possibly brilliant somewhere, badly told mess. Or you can just watch this film and get the same effect.
I think the last scenes in particular are added just to show the audience that, 'yes we made a bad film but at least you weren't expecting *this*'.
And after watching this I couldn't shake the feeling that there was the potential for a brilliant film from all the badly fitting pieces. It will keep you guessing, at least, right up until the end. But only because you might be expecting a coherent story.
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