I was inspired to watch Ingmar Bergman’s The Magician (1958; Ansiktet) by Tracy Letts and Carrie Coon including it in an article for The AV Club where they planned a 24 hour film festival line up. When I read about Bergman, this film doesn’t come up as much as a title and it feels like an underrated entry in his lengthy career. By the end of the movie, I was surprised by the different types of movie The Magician was. Initially beginning with moody scenes in the countryside with a travelling troupe of performers centred around the touring magician, Vogler (Max Von Sydow – dressed like Mandrake with black hair and a fake beard) it’s a dark mystery, but it’s also a ribald sex comedy, a gothic horror movie at times, a conversation about the irrational and the scientific, and a reflection on creativity and money. Vogler’s troupe includes Ingrid Thulin (from Cries And Whispers) as his assistant (dressed in disguise as a man), Naima Wifstrand as the potion collecting granny, and Ake Fridell as the gregarious bankroll. They arrive at a new town and are welcomed by Counsel Egerman (Erland Josephson) and his wife who have a curious interest in the supposed supernatural. There is also the officious, pretentious Dr Vergerus (Gunnar Bjornstrand from Winter Light) who seeks to challenge and observe Vogler’s act on a wager with Counsel on whether this “magic” is outside the rational and explainable. The movie basically takes place over one night and the next day where the Counsel’s quarters are destabilised by The Magician’s presence in both humourous, ribald ways and eerie, dramatic ways. All throughout, Sydow is magnetic in a mostly wordless performance, his piercing eyes and intensity giving way to different layers or faces of this mysterious character. Anyone who has seen a couple of Bergman movies will recognise familiar faces in the cast (including Bibi Andersson from Persona), and the cinematography by Gunnar Fischer is great in how the camera pushes in during dialogue scenes, or how the frame creates affecting compositions with the characters. An unusual, funny, gripping, surprising movie that keeps twisting shape in front of your eyes. Available to rent on iTunes. Recommended.
VHS Tracking 