Recapturing the Magic

 The Incredible Burt Wonderstone Film Review

World Premier at South By Southwest Film Festival

By  Philip Hohle

Have you lost the magic you once possessed? Or rather, have you ever found yourself in a place where your life practices or professional proficiencies, once performed with joyful and effortless effect, have become stale and nauseating? 

A common archetype of narrative film is found in stories of would-be heroes who fall victim to their own success. One may identify with protagonists who discover that their once satisfying calling has become burdensome, tarnished, or even harmful. Along this journey, these heroes often lose their trusted companions as well as their vision. These classic stories ultimately have the hero entering a final confrontation (often with inner demons) where they experience a rebirth. This results in a degree of restoration for the protagonist as they return to some status or role in the community. Reconnected with their true calling, the hero returns with some lesson or benefit for the community and the viewer.

The Incredible Burt Wonderstone is a new comedy featuring popular stars Steve Carell and Jim Carrey. Burt (Carell) becomes a famous entertainer as a result of his childhood passion for performing magic tricks. Over time, he loses this love as he peaks as a Las Vegas entertainer. Not only does he lose his edge as a performer but also he finds himself unable to tolerate his childhood friend and partner Anton (Steve Buscemi).  As the duo struggles to maintain their professional advantage, they encounter a foil in the emerging street entertainer Steve Grey (Carey), whose edgy act is more shock than wonder.

As Burt and Anton lose their spot as the preeminent Vegas act, Burt gradually discovers that he has also lost most of his humanity. Aspiring magician Jane (Olivia Wilde) and Burt’s legendary childhood mentor Rance Holloway (Alan Arkin) help Burt rediscover his passion for performing magic tricks and help him learn again how to love others.

For the Christian, this journey is often all too familiar. A journey of discipleship can be a joyous parade, but it can also seem like a lonely trek into a desert of apparent meaningless. At times, a faith traveller may find their journey stultified— their steps painfully visionless. This film is a humorous reminder that the trappings of success can indeed become a trap.

Unfortunately, the film is not for children, as it contains some crude language, sexual situations, and dangerous stunts—Jim Cary at his hilarious best. In any case, The Incredible Burt Wonderstone is destined to be one of the top comedies of the year.

Compassion Runs Thicker Than Blood

This is Where We Live Film Review

World Premier at South By Southwest Film Festival

By Philip Hohle

Bloodlines do not always make a family. This is Where We Live is the story of a family in a deep medical, financial, and relational crisis. Diane and Bob Sutton live outside Llano, Texas with their young adult kids—their surly daughter Lainey, and disabled son August. Gus has cerebral palsy, which makes him totally dependent on others for eating and movement—he even needs help to use the bathroom. Mother Diane has high blood pressure and is losing the battle with stress. She works as a checker at a grocery store, prepares all the family’s meals, and cares for Gus’ every need. She gets little help from Lainey, whose bitterness adds to the tension. Meanwhile, Bob is suffering from an advance stage of Alzheimer’s. The outlook is grim for this family.

As their problems worsen, they invite an aimless handyman (played with sensitivity by Marc Menchaca) to help them through a difficult time. Diane’s doctor has warned her about carrying and dragging Gus up the steps to the house. So she contracts to have a wheelchair ramp added to the house and it is Noah who shows up to build it. The spastic, non-communicative Gus does not repulse Noah, so he carries on a friendly, one-sided chat with the young man as he builds. In desperation, Diane asks Noah take a job helping her with Gus. With little else to occupy his time, Noah agrees. The adjustment is awkward and Noah’s presence changes the dynamics. Soon he finds himself a tentative member of the family, and like the others, he struggles to negotiate expectations and deal with the hurts that come with the role.

Noah is emotionally disabled as the result of a tragic event in his childhood. He is estranged from his own mother and terminally ill father. He finds himself with no meaningful career, no life-vision, and few close relationships. The decision to become a caretaker for this disabled young man is the beginning of Noah’s journey toward restoration. But Noah’s soul is not the only one in need of repair. As wounds are reopened and hurts exposed, his presence forces a realignment of values and a fresh appreciation for the bonds that keep a family together in the face of trials. Noah’s unlikely role as caretaker represents a blind leap of faith for him and he begins to experience a profound change as a result of his risk. In spite of conflicts old and new, the family gains needed relief while Noah finds healing and a renewed purpose. It is through simple compassion that he finds the strength to deal with his own dysfunctions and his rebirth precipitates other awakenings.

Actor Tobias Segal plays the disabled Gus with skillful realism—he was so convincing that this reviewer was convinced that the part was played by an actor with this particular disability. Menchaca told the audience after the premier screening that his inspiration for the character was a friend who has the disease. Segal's performance in the film provides a sensitive insight into the challenges families face when a loved one has such a disabling condition.

The film has one sexual situation, depicts drug and alcohol use, and contains raw language.