Magic (2021)

A screen adaptation of G.K. Chesterton's play, also known as 'Magic - A Fantastic Comedy'. An eccentric Duke hires a Conjurer in answer to his niece Patricia's garden wanderings and encounters with fairies. Why? As a cure for magic, of course. The evening of the show takes a turn with the arrival of Morris, Patricia's cynical brother, followed by that of the stranger only adding to the tension. The household and its guests (Dr. Grimthorpe and the Vicar Smith) are drawn into an unruly situation where the ensuing arguments and challenges threaten to stop the entertainment. Finally, the besieged magician decides to air some of his own demons, conjuring up a very peculiar trick. Writer/director Elvis Joseph has created a contemporary screen adaptation whilst staying true to the spirit of the original 1913 play. Now set in the 1930s, the paradox and subtle humor of G.K. Chesterton remain, as does the stage feel of this film. It's a quirky offering with themes as relevant today as they were back then.