Reviews

The film has beautiful scenes. A movie for intelligent adults rather than children, the performances are subtle and allow for the nuances of meaning that the mathematician author placed into his book. With more obvious acting, the movie would have become clichéd. I found Kate Beckinsale's portrayal of Alice to be intriguing, particularly her insouciance in the face of insults. Ian Holm, as usual, was masterful, playing the White Knight in a way I had not thought possible. The movie is unique, a treat for watching many times.

OK, so maybe all 6 billion other people on the planet hated it. Here is why I liked it. It is complex and absorbing. It's a movie for thinkers. Never obvious, the Magus held my attention throughout. All the actors portrayed their roles quite well, Anthony Quinn in particular. The central idea, which was an innovative way of making motion pictures, was delightful. The movie was a tremendous improvement over the book, which I found vulgar and pointless. It is a movie to be savored, like a fine wine.