While playing during DocuWeeks, Variety reviewed The Magic Life, a new documentary following several folks trying to make magic their living.
Unfortunately, the show business-centric reviewer thought it was a mixed bag.
Cheng’s subjects, all Los Angeles transplants, are plenty likable, with varying levels of virtuosity. Michael Friedland, 32, leaves his family’s New York real-estate business to do impressive card tricks at the Magic Castle, while Matthew Noah Falk, 25, struggles to make it as a street magician on Hollywood Boulevard. Yang Yang, 17, from Beijing, comes to study magic and shows the greatest promise: Although his act is quite accomplished, he’s also a real charmer.
The Magic Life is now running in Los Angeles until August 23rd. Head here for tickets.