Great magic shows are rarely about magic. Penn & Teller are first-rate comedians. Ricky Jay turned his 15 minutes into a small weapons seminar and Siegfried & Roy gave their audiences lessons in flamboyance and animal abuse. Derek DelGaudio is a psychologist, but he’d probably object to such a label as he is so much more. His shows are therapy sessions masquerading as parlor tricks.
In & of Itself starts with a n extended Russian Roulette story that will remind every film fan worth his salt of The Deer Hunter. There’s only one piece of magic in the first ten minutes of exposition and it’s so subtle you’ll remain wondering if Derek DelGuadio is actually a magician well into act two. The Deer Hunter was a somber and sobering film. Similarly, the DelGuadio lecture symposium immediately sets a tone while we consider the “Rouletista,” a Spanish man who has tempted and cheated death several times over. Derek brings it back on himself stating that he, too, has been accused of being the Rouletista but in doing so, the audience, ourselves, reflect upon who we are. Am I the Rouletista? And if not, why not? What is my own relationship to fortune, death, suicide, significance, and title? And, hey, isn’t this supposed to be a magic show?
Eventually magic does happen, and it’s almost mystifyingly downplayed; Derek spent so much energy presenting existential queries (like the blind men and the elephant) that at first I didn’t notice exactly how good a magician he is. I know I learned the disciplines of magic in one of those stupid Disney films last summer, but –let’s face it- I didn’t even remember them at the time. Derek isn’t a prestige magician. Prestige can get you killed when you’re hustling cards. Specific discipline-wise, Derek is exceptional at sleight of hand, illusion, misdirection, stupid card tricks, the memory/what’s-my-line game, and the revival show miracle. Based on one ninety-minute performance, I have no doubt Derek DelGuadio could be a psychologist, philosopher, poker champion, psychic detective, televangelist, or talk show host. And yet, he’d probably shun all of those labels in favor of “Rouletista,” one I’m still trying to figure out.
This is the kind of show where you want to give away everything … “oh, he [summoned the street address of every audience member] and then he [made your
mom disappear] and then he [produced your card out of an alley cat’s rectum] …” And while I won’t give anything away… a trick is a trick is a trick; I could tell you all the magic he did and still not give you a true feel for what this show was like or how impressive the feats.
As film goes, In & of Itself is little more than a stage show … but the editing and direction is actually quite noteworthy. The film collects clips from several weeks’ worth of shows as if to demonstrate “see? He doesn’t always pick the same thing.” This will keep you guessing how the tricks are done. Director Frank Oz also included a sweet yet quiet moment where Derek’s mom showed up at his gig. Parental encouragement is rarely a bad thing. And then there’s my favorite part where Derek pulls out a journal and selects an audience member. The audience member is escorted away mid-show along with the journal and instructions to guess how the shows ends and transcribe it. Audience member is then invited back the next day to read their prognostication aloud. It doesn’t matter what the person has written; it’s all about audience connection and the way we perceive art. It is an understanding that asking a question is often more poignant than delivering an answer. The effect is mesmerizing. This is a brilliant show; it is unspoiled by the movie format and I can’t wait to share it with others.
Can a magician, a parable, and a throng
Illustrate where and how we belong?
Comprehend otherwise
Dismiss the blind guys
Even if you’re peeking, you’ll still get it wrong
Not Rated, 90 Minutes
Director: Frank Oz
Writer: Derek DelGaudio
Genre: Magic therapy
Type of being most likely to enjoy this film: Thinkers
Type of being least likely to enjoy this film: The easily distracted
