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Contains very strong language and strong sex and drug referencesThe Magician is a darkly comic mockcumentary about a Melbourne-based hitman - written, directed and starring an independent, first-time filmmaker. While the Jerry Bruckheimer fans among you should now be running away like vampires in the midday sun, we recommend that you put any preconceptions to one side, as this antipodean gem is certainly worth its salt: the multi-talented Scott Ryan has crafted a unique portrait of a charismatic killer, while giving a superbly charismatic performance on screen.
Ray Shoesmith's credentials as a cold-blooded assassin are affirmed from the outset, his wizard-like ability to make people vanish clearly owing more to do with well-executed brutal violence than any modern-day sorcery. But Ray is also an enlightened, affable thug and not opposed to reasoning with his petrified victims. As friend and filmmaker Max's wobbly lens follows our unlikely hero on his daily routine of whacking guys who have upset the local Mr Big, we begin to share the mundane moments in the life of a mercenary and conversations drift onto increasingly trivial and hilarious subjects.
"ALL THE MAKINGS OF A CULT HIT"
Despite a brief lull midway through the 83 minutes, The Magician largely succeeds as a good short story, thanks to Ryan's captivating performance in the lead role. An unlikely road movie/buddy movie hybrid, it has all the makings of a cult hit among discerning DVD collectors.
