Michelle SweeneyReview - The Great Buck Howard
May 12th 2009 14:08
The Great Buck Howard is loosely based on The Amazing Kreskin, an American mentalist and hypnotist who even today offers “$50,000 to anybody that can prove that he employs paid secret assistants or confederates in any phase of his program". Such is his success - no one has ever laid claim to this money and he has been performing since the early 70's!
Because of the angle the film takes, we never get to see behind the facade of Buck Howard but in my opinion the film does not suffer as a result. He is an enigma and I kind of like it that way as there is a part of me that still wants to believe in magic. But we see enough. He is an extreme personality seemingly comfortable up on stage in his world but in his real life, the only person close to him are his road manager and agent - a far cry from the charismatic personality presented on stage. Despite his energetic handshakes and his well known catchphrase - I Love This Town - Buck Howard still has his fair share of fans. But he knows that the fickleness he faces from his stage audience may end and he unveils a plan to attract the television media to launch him back into popularity with the help of a headstrong publicist (Emily Blunt).
Troy has taken the job as a fill in but he realises that despite Buck's outward demeanour he enjoys the energy of working alongside of him and stays much longer than even he anticipates. And try as he might, Troy is never able to unveil the secret behind Buck's signature trick in which his evening's fee is hidden by an audience member for him to find using only his mental abilities.
Directed and written by Sean McGinley, the inspiration for the screenplay actually came from his real life dealings with The Amazing Kreskin himself.
The supporting cast work well alongside the hairpieced covered lead of Buck and they include appearances from Steve Zahn, Adam Scott and Ricky Jay. This is definitely not a laugh a minute kind of comedy but there are some very funny moments although they are at times underlined with a hint of sadness.
A quirky and oddly perceptive movie that had me entertained despite the dips into clicheness in the closing sequences.
Voyage Review: 3.5/5
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