I just watched and enjoyed a nice "little" movie — and I don't use that term disparagingly. I'm impressed by films that put something on the screen besides money and special effects and where the hovering presence of CGI doesn't add an air of unreality to the entire proceedings. I'm also interested in the world of magic and all this made me a good candidate to enjoy Desperate Acts of Magic, a new "independent" film that was written, co-directed, co-produced and co-edited by a clever magician named Joe Tyler Gold. And oh, yes — he's also the star of the film which is clearly fictional but just as clearly derived from his years doing magic, not always in the glamorous venues.
I don't think a lot of people understand the hard, often impossible work that goes into (a) developing a solid magic act and (b) finding some way to "monetize" it, as they now say in every seminar about anything these days. And I don't mean the magician's out to make a ton of money off his art/craft. I mean he just wants to make enough to pay for the props and to keep doing the act. I once heard a top sleight-of-hand wizard say, "I consider myself a success as long as I don't have to go out and get a real job." And as he said that, he riffled a deck of card and all four aces flew out onto the table.
In the interest of Full Disclosure, I should mention that I know a few folks involved in this film. One of them sent me a video and asked if I could give it a plug here. I usually don't do things like that and I always cringe when a friend asks that because, you know, what if it sucks? But I started watching and got hooked. Mr. Gold (who I don't know) plays what I'm guessing is kind of a variation on himself, living a life that could have happened to a guy like himself. In truth, I know, he worked a lot of the dreadful, low-paying gigs that his character endures in this movie. Being a magician is such a difficult career that many of the top ones still respond with nervous facial tics if you say the phrase, "Birthday party for about two dozen children." So the film's about that kind of Baptism of Flash Paper and also about trying to build a relationship (like, with a woman) in that world. Valerie Dillman is quite charming as the lady who first encounters Joe when she lifts his wallet and later lifts his spirit and career, and there's a lot of other good acting in there.
I'm trying to sell this without overselling this so I'll just recommend you give it a look. That part may not be easy since it's just now rolling out with screenings in the next few week in Los Angeles and New York. I assume those will lead to wider distribution and video availability. Remember that name — Desperate Acts of Magic — and check it out when it comes to a theater or cable channel near you. Here's a link to the website where you can get the screening dates and other useful info, and here's the trailer…