When we meet teenager Sammy (Miya Cech) in Kate Tsang’s debut feature, Marvelous and The Black Hole, she is still heartbroken over the loss of her mother, which has put a substantial strain on the relationship she has with her father (Leonardo Nam) and her sister Patricia (Kannon) and her dad’s new girlfriend Marianne (Paulina Lule).
This has started to affect her in school where her dad is left with no choice but to threaten to ship her away to a place that handles troubled teenagers unless she settles down and studies hard in a community college business class taught by 30 Rock’s Keith Powell. It’s at the bathroom where she has a timely chance encounter with magician Margot (Rhea Perlman) who brings her along to a magic show she is performing for a class of young children. It’s there that she is able to miraculously break through to the troubled Sammy.
Instead of going to class Sammy begins to spend time with Margot, slowly showing an interest in the magic and wanting to be invited to the late evening meet-ups Margot has with other magicians (including Jonathan Slavin). She has to hide this from her father as she knows he will be displeased but it’s through magic and her time with Margot that she is finally able to channel her grief and find something to occupy her mind to the fullest.
Tsang, who also penned the screenplay, does include elements of films you’ve seen countless times before and there aren’t any real surprises or shocking sleight of hand reveals. It also sometimes indulges too much in a twee sort of sensibility. Yet the story does incorporate this charming world of magic to give you somewhat of a new look at the familiar unlikely friendship inspirational movie that seems ripe for a showing at a festival such as Sundance.
Tsang’s screenplay is charming and delightful with a ton of humor and emotion that combine to a winning fashion. It’s a great comeback performance from Perlman and a steady showcase from the promising young Cech. Fans of Westworld will be delighted to see Nam get to perform in a more emotional-driven capacity, which he plays to perfection.
Tsang’s vision is never compromised by the expectations of the genre and it provides a well-needed boost of hope and genuine heart that shines through in a most magical fashion indeed.
Join the conversation