Magic In The Moonlight

The scenes are on the French Riviera and Provence and they’re beautifully captured by the great Cinematographer Darius Khondji.  You have two of my favorite stars, Colin Firth and Emma Stone.  Yet, there’s not much magic in Writer/Director Woody Allen’s Magic In The Moonlight.

What’s wrong here? 

First of all, it’s the morose and slow-moving story that only makes us happy when there’s the infrequent laugh. 

 

But, it’s not all Woody’s fault.  Colin Firth plays a wooden character woodenly.  It almost seems, at times, that English is his second language.  And, his ending scene, where he tries to call on his inner Henry Higgins, is almost cringe-worthy. 

                                                            

Poor Emma Stone seems stunned that she’s witnessing this debacle and her performance is drained.

Only Eileen Atkins brings some energy to this freight train.

I’m sorry to say Magic In The Moonlight is only worth a 3 out of 5.