Magic Realism

Magic Realism in movies

Magic realism is perhaps one of the most beautiful tools used in films to get a point across. It is a touch of a fantastical element which gives a particular message to a film.

There are movies that are so bizarre they toy with your puny little brain, take it for a walk, and then put it in the blender to watch it explode. These acid trip movies are absurd and make little sense to anyone. The truth is, they aren't supposed to.  It is an abstract realism, a way which becomes real only through watching our perceptions of it.

In order to enjoy these absurd and bizarre demonstrations, we must suspend our belief that the natural order of things don't apply. We must believe that there is a door which leads to John Malkovich's brain as with Being John Malkovich  . We would realize that there is a way to erase the memories of our lover from our brains as in "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind." It can also take acid trip proportions like the head twisting baby in Trainspotting .

The key here is not to go too far off the edge. A Clockwork Orange is brilliant because it combines real life happenings with absurdity. Everything else in the movie makes sense, so it can afford these fantastical elements.

We also empathize with the characters, we wish them well.  This is the difference between science fiction and fantasy movies. Behind all the absurdity there is a realism, which is further told by placing these fantastical elements.

When it goes really wrong is when things are absurd and idiotic, for stupidities sake. Take Jennifer Lopez in The Cell which was more about special effects and design than true notions in absurdity. Another example is Vanilla Sky and it's strange turn of events at the film's climax.

The important thing to remember about magic realism is not to overuse it or to become too literal, it is of the upmost importance to maintain the integrity of the film and have the magical elements become part of the film and not a distraction.

Maryam DiMauro
Filmsi

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