Night Magic (1985)

Night Magic, a musical fantasy, is set on earth but it is also about the heavens. At the centre of it all is Michael, a music hall artist, who finds Judy, an angel that epitomizes the woman of his dreams at the System Theatre where he is about to open his new show. For Michael it is just another show along the road but once inside something happens. The night is full of possibilities- full of love and romance, jealousy and infidelity, music and dance, even good and evil. Most of all it is full of magic.

Film Overview
"Night Magic" is a Canadian-French musical dream film released in 1985, directed by Lewis Furey and written by Leonard Cohen, a renowned poet, and Furey himself. It weaves elements of secret, magic, and surrealism with powerful storytelling. The movie stars Nick Mancuso as the lead character, Michael, and popular French actress Carole Laure as Helen.

Plot Summary
The storyline centers around Michael, a songwriter who is finding it tough to create a splendid masterpiece opera. After a dicey encounter with mystical angels, he gets magically bestowed with the ability to compose a special piece of music that has the ability to resonate with listeners on a psychological and spiritual level. Nevertheless, in the middle of this, he fulfills Helen, who affects his life and music dramatically. Here, "Night Magic" combines aspects of romance, music, magic, and drama to develop a bewitching amalgamation.

Characters and Performances
Nick Mancuso provides a strong performance as Michael, embodying the suffering, confusion, and freedom of a having a hard time artist convincingly. Carole Laure's Helen likewise impresses with her extreme influence on Michael's life and music. The characters are well-written and compelling, with the cast catching their essence efficiently. A crucial aspect of the film is the angels and their performances that include a component of the supernatural to the story. Leonard Cohen and Lewis Furey's screenplay carries deep psychological resonance, backed by a strong portrayal by a talented ensemble cast.

Musical Elements
A popular aspect of "Night Magic" is its ingenious blend of music, drama, and fantasy. The film sprinkles musical efficiencies throughout which play an essential part in the story. The original music by Lewis Furey and Leonard Cohen discreetly complements the story, heightening the feel of the dramatic, surreal environment. The tunes carried out in the motion picture, when clubbed with the narrative's circulation, convey turning points in Michael's change journey towards being an effective artist.

Visual Style and Special Effects
"Night Magic" mesmerizes with its striking visual looks. The directors utilize the aspects of light, shadow, and color to magnify the film's magical and mystical feel. Unique results in the movie assistance illustrate the meeting of truth and fantasy, especially in the scenes with the angels. Despite the technical restrictions of the 80s, the filmmakers effectively develop a visually attractive movie that matches the story's mood and tone.

Conclusion and Reception
In general, "Night Magic" is a musically-rich, dream movie that tells an emotionally intense, dark, and surreal story of a musician's journey of self-discovery and creative success. In spite of the motion picture's special appeal, it did not receive frustrating success upon release. Critics provided mixed reviews, with some appreciating the film's creativity and enthusiasm, while others criticized it for being extremely ambitious. Regardless of this, it has established a following throughout the years as an underrated gem from 80s movie theater.

Top Cast

  • Carole Laure (small)
    Carole Laure
    Judy
  • Nick Mancuso (small)
    Nick Mancuso
    Michael
  • Stéphane Audran (small)
    Stéphane Audran
    Janice
  • Jean Carmet (small)
    Jean Carmet
    Sam
  • Lyne Tremblay
    Stardust
  • Danielle Godin (small)
    Danielle Godin
    Moonbeam
  • Barbara Eve Harris (small)
    Barbara Eve Harris
    Doubt
  • Kathryn Greenaway
  • Michelle Stennett
  • Frank Augustyn
  • Louis Robitaille