Scott Ryan, Ben Walker, Kane Mason, Massimiliano Andrighetto, Nathaniel Lindsay

A darkly comic fictionalised documentary following the dealings of Ray, a Melbourne-based hitman, as seen through the eyes of his ex-neighbour and friend Max, an Italian film student. Max and his came...( read more  read more... )ra witness Ray's work life as it unfolds from day to day, giving an insight into a world we rarely see, and at the same time developing an unusual friendship with his subject.

Flixster Users

74% liked it

1,255 ratings

Critics

88% liked it

8 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 27 min.

Directed by: Scott Ryan

Release Date: September 29, 2005

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Stats: 100 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (100)


  • September 29, 2009
    A low budget mocumentary about a hit-man, my kind of film! It?s been compared to Leon, Chopper & Man Bites Dog. Well, it?s nothing like the first two but unfortunately it?s pretty much the same story as Man Bites Dog and Man Bites Dog is much better. That aside though, this is a ...( read more)nice little indie that lacks in originality but makes up for it with a lot of Australian charm!
  • September 30, 2007
    Fascinating, low budget mockumentary about a Melbourne hitman and his shady goings on. Gritty and often hilarious with some almost Tarantino-like dialogue throughout. Was wondering just how real or fake this was throughout thanks to some convincing performances. A great example o...( read more)f Indie film and ambition. Don't miss the 'was Clint Eastwood in The Dirty Dozen?' conversation.
  • October 2, 2007
    Genuinly funny film with some really sharp moments. Brilliant view into the mind of a 'hitman'. Well worth a watch.
  • November 18, 2008
    To paraphrase David Stratton when he reviewed this, "Not everyone is going to like the idea of spending an evening at the cinema with Ray". Ray being of course being the lead man, the hitman, that grinning guy on the posters and basically the guy we are locked shoulder to should...( read more)er with through cameraman Max's lense almost the entire 80 odd minutes of The Magician.

    To count disliking Ray to the point of not being able to enjoy or even watch the film is not wrong, but rather missing out on what an achievement this film is for it's young writer/director/star and his hopeful friends involved with the production. Fresh out of film school (indeed, most of his "crew" were classmates repaying the favour) and made for three thousand dollars of his own money (!), Scott Ryan's Magician is an ode to what can be achieved when you have passion and ability.

    I don't really want to comment on the script specifically as most of it appears improvised anyway, but still, this rivals any Tarantino glossed pop culture Oscar winner in many ways. Whether it is discussing Clint Eastwood's appearance (or not) in The Dirty Dozen, sleeping next to another bloke with no pants on or the moral dilemma of Wayne Carey banging his best mate's missus, Ray is philosophical, funny as hell and never short for words. It took me a while to get into the flow, but once I did, I couldn't stop watching the conversations and wonder what was to become of Ray's in-toe victim, Ben.

    With well over 80 minutes shot, the editing (done by three separate contributors all up) deserves a lot of credit especially for making the last half of the film so interesting. Seeing how we're looking through Max's camera the whole time, I have my reservations in saying this was well directed. It's basically all handheld and what appears to be loosely structured, but at the same time, I guess that couldn't be further from the truth as it all seems so convincing and thought. Possibly a deliberate approach to make it seem shot by an amateur more than it actually is. Like him or not, it's a must see for Ryan's performance as Ray and what can be achieved withOUT any funding. Sure a few decent producers got their hands on it after it was done and did an ace job of getting it out there, but if it wasn't worth watching in the first place, what would be the point? Fortunately it is.
  • April 27, 2008
    Entertaining, low-budget, Aussie drama - great performance non-Hollywood actors and clever use of limited funds.

    An inspirational independent movie, which is pretty funny, dramatic, scary and very well written.

    PS: It may get boring for the majority of the people out there.
  • January 5, 2008
    Man, I have no idea if this movie is fiction or not... had me on the edge of my seat & biting my nails. Damn crazy. ;)
  • January 3, 2008
    Good, low-budget, Aussie drama with great performances from unknowns and clever use of limited funds. This is inspiration for all aspiring indie filmmakers. It's funny, dramatic, scary and very well written.
  • November 1, 2007
    Ooooh, this sounds so tough. Please. Go die somewhere.
  • October 2, 2007
    Recommended by Gary S

Critic Reviews


Comments


  • perfectgentlemn
    July 20, 2008
    Man, I have no idea if this movie is fiction or not... had me on the edge of my seat & biting my nails. Damn crazy. ;)

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