Customer Reviews

Rough Magic [VHS]

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

For some strange reason, only Bridget Fonda's name is mentioned in the listing, when Russell Crowe is the reason to buy this DVD. In a co-starring role, he brings attractive wounded dash to an odd film with mystical undertones. The movie is flawed, with an improbable story, but the interaction of the cool Fonda and macho Crowe, with the support of Jim Broadbent and Paul Rodgriguez, helps draw you in to a world populated by magicians and rogues.

While the movie didn't meet with much success in the theater, it deserves a new life in the home movie library. Crowe is charming and humorous, and as always, rises above the material to fully flesh out his character, a war vet trying to make a go of detective work. Fonda is a confused magician's assistant on the lam. Together, they find their way to Mexico where snake oil salesman Jim Broadbent makes their acquaintance. The road trip leads them to a roadside encounter with Rodriguez, who is deliciously smarmy as an annoyed petrol station owner. The unlikely adventures, encounters and errors can be forgiven on re-viewing this film, and one can enjoy the interplay of character, some beautiful scenery and an actor[Crowe] who as always, is on top of his game and joy to watch.

Can't believe so many professional critics heartlessly trashed this gem! As an art historian and world traveler who is especially fond of Mexico, I find 'Rough Magic' gorgeous, delightful, amusing, and romantic -- in all, utterly captivating, with flawless attention to every detail from first frame to last. Since purchasing this film recently I've watched it at least a dozen times. Bridget Fonda and Russell Crowe are a dynamic and delightful duo -- hope they'll team up for another movie. I had never seen Jim Broadbent ('Doc') before and would like to see more of his work; my lands, even the dog was well-cast! My advice: ignore the critics and follow your heart to a refreshing treat for the eye, for the soul.

I ran across this movie on cable and was pleasantly surprised. The plot is a little loose and out of the ordinary, but it kept me interested the whole way through. Russell Crowe is his usual talented self, as well as Bridget Fonda. The two have good chemistry with each other, which helps make this far out plot seem not so far out. It even ends with a little morality to ponder over. Definately a feel good movie if you're looking for it.

It's the story about a magician's assistant, played by Fonda, who flees from her rich fiance after he apparently kills her mentor. Disappearing in Mexico, she hooks up with a quack medicine show salesman who convinces her to help him find a legendary magical formula only the ancient native people know how to make. Mix in a down on his luck reporter (Crowe) who's really working for Fonda's ex-beau, but finds himself falling for the woman he's trailing. The ending kind of wimps out, but I enjoyed the banter between Fonda and Crowe. Don't take this film seriously, but enjoy it for the romance if nothing else.

I recently purchased this amusing movie. As a big Russell Crowe fan he has yet to disappoint me in anything he is involved in. The scenery in this flick was beautiful. The chemistry between Fonda and Crowe was magical. I loved the old cars, clothes and the dog. These two thespians are great comedians as well as actors. Just sit back and enjoy the movie, don't look for anything deeper. This is a movie I will watch over and over again.

As a huge Russell Crowe fan I was particularly disappointed by this offering. No character in this movie was completely developed and bits of the plot were left hanging. A little explanation on a few points would have gone a long way toward developing even a single character in this confusing melodrama. As it stands Bridget Fonda spews 40's era cliches and tries to look alluring, while Russell Crowe (who can usually pull off a decent American accent) sounds ridiculous and seems to fall in love with Fonda's character for no reason whatsoever. Even the music is cliche. Sad, not one of the better vehicles for either star.

The first half of this film, set in LA and Mexico in the late 40's, is a fun noir knock-off, complete with hard-boiled dialogue and a wonderfully flashy yellow convertible. The premise is that Fonda is a comely assistant in a cheap nightclub magic act and Crowe is a Marine combat photographer (the only reason I rented it, natch) who went off the rails after having to document the Nagasaki survivors. He's now a drunken newspaper stringer in Mexico, and that's where Fonda goes on the lam after she sees her rich fiance commit a murder. Crowe is hired by said rotten fiance to find her, and winds up falling for her instead. Fonda is whiny rather than sultry (think "Murder, My Sweet" meets "Clueless") and Crowe's American accent slips occasionally, but it's not bad.

The second half appears to have come from an entirely different movie with the same cast and locale. Fonda and Crowe meet up with an ancient shaman-ess who teaches Fonda her art, her rich fiance catches up with her, and the movie collapses under leaden direction and an incomprehensible script. It tries--very hard--to be fey and magical but becomes merely weird. Even the sight of Crowe in Marine dress blues doesn't save it.

"Rough Magic" is a wild little romp. I like the twist of how it begins with a magician and all of his tricks and ends in Mexico with what in the reality of the film would be bona fide magic such as levitation during sex, a man who gets turned into a sausage and Bridget Fonda laying a blue egg. Bernardo Bertolucci's wife Clare Peploe directed this piece and has a mastery of pacing. I found her 2001 film "Triumph of Love" also to move quickly. Bridget Fonda is certainly beautiful; and we've missed her on screen for the last several years. Her characters as in "Lake Placid" or "A Simple Plan" always engage; and this outing is no different. As the edgy, confident con-artist who falls in love, she displays a good variety of conflicting emotions. Sharon Stone brought Russell Crowe to Hollywood for "The Quick & the Dead" the same year this movie was made and called Crowe, "The sexiest guy working in movies today." He certainly expresses depth and a world-weary sense as Alex Ross, the somewhat burned out detective. Jim Broadbent went on to win an Oscar as best supporting actor for "Iris" in 2001 and then appeared in "Moulin Rouge." As Doc Ansell, he does a nice job trying to steal the sorceress' secrets and carries the plot along in its improbable twists & turns. D. W. Moffatt who was in "Twisted" with Ashley Judd and "Traffic," plays the rich cad Cliff Wyatt that regards Myra Shumway as a trophy and pursues her to Mexico. Based on the story "Miss Shumway Waves A Wand" by James Hadley Chase, this film is an entertaining romp filled with magic, romance and improbability. Enjoy!

Not your usual movie - and the acting talents of Bridget Fonda and Russel Crowe contribute quite a bit to the unusual characters they play. She can turn someone into a pig and he is a private investigator that gets caught up in her magic. Of course Russel has his charm and charisma that works her over throughout the movie. He's arrogant and determined, but also warm and devoted. Bridget plays a woman in control - but doesn't realize she needs all the help she can get. She's an adorable mate for Russel's character.

Okay, that's a quote from LA Story, but the sentiment applies to this little flickeroonie. Can you say magical realism? Think Cloud Tectonics, if you've been lucky enough to see that play. Bottom line: this is a great movie for those of us whose broken hearts seem fixed, and yet who hope . . . .