Anthony Hopkins brings the Magic (Magic, 1978, rewatch)

Magic, 1978, directed by Richard Attenborough, streamed on Prime Video, 4 stars.

I hadn't seen this since its first run in my local movie house, though the image of Anthony Hopkins and Fats -- and, especially, Fats' voice -- have stayed with me through the years. I was a little surprised that this movie was just as good on a second watch as it was nearly 50 years ago.

Hopkins, as the dissociative Corky Withers, is just as frightening and memorable as he was 13 years later playing that other guy. Hopkins certainly has a lot more screen time in Magic than he did in that 1991 film. I believe the reason Corky didn't have the impact on the culture as the later guy did is that Magic is not a perfect movie. Ann-Margret ain't Jodie Foster.

Hopkins does get outstanding support early on from Burgess Meredith. The "five minutes" scene with those two playing off each other is worth the price of admission on its own.

One more thing before we move on: The WB's Buffy The Vampire Slayer had a fantastic riff on Magic during its first season, in 1997, an episode titled "The Puppet Show." Highly recommended.

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