Movie review – “Magic” (1978) **

Anthony Hopkins isn’t very believable as either an American or a magician ventriloquist but he’s great with the dramatic stuff in this adaptation of William Goldman’s creepy novel. There are some typical Goldman themes here – showbiz, a wisened old teacher (in this case Burgess Meredith as an agent), a dark subject matter, and a desire to pork the hot girl from school (Ann Margaret). Goldman’s novel was more effective, chiefly because it was more internal, could go into the head of the lead. Here it’s a bit more obvious that there’s not that much story. And Richard Attenborough is okay but not great with the suspense stuff. Some clever moments, though, such as the flashback sequences and the scene where Meredith sees if Hopkins can talk without a dummy for longer than five minutes.