Magic in The Moonlight {Drive-in}

There is something about Woody Allen... The moment one of his movies starts, I am trapped into his world, drink every word, relish every sentence and utterly enjoy the discovery and analysis of each and everyone of his characters. Don't ask me why, but he reminds me of Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot: one to understand people's acts by studying their personality.

Aside from the fact that I have also enjoyed every Agatha Christie's book I have read, I am also quite fond of our dear Hercule. And now, I have come to realize, I am a fan of Woody Allen's. There is no other way to put it.

The period piece Magic in the Moonlight is not as darkly tragic as Blue Jasmine - probably my favorite at this stage - but it managed just as efficiently to drag me into the story, into the late 1920s and the into the world of a famous illusionist, the starting point of the clash between reality and illusion. The main character is as arrogant and self-imbued as he is cynical and pessimistic, which makes him sort of enchanting.

Learning that he is a specialist for debunking a possible swindle embodied by a rather charming young medium, Sophie, is as ironical as it gets and sets the tone of this smart, quick-paced movie that has lifted my heart with its witty (neurotic?) dialogues. The challenge here for illusionist Wei Ling Soo, or rather die-hard materialist Stanley Crawford, is going to plunge him in the realm of some very optimistic and easily gullible characters. The two worlds collide.

And as  you sit there in the movie theater and enjoy the show, you cannot help but wonder: "Isn't there a middle ground between magic, illusion and reality?"

I, for one, cannot help but ask myself this question: I am fully aware of being rather cynical in life, how could it be otherwise? However, I indulge very often, and with outspoken relish, into daydreaming - this blog is a tangible proof, if you need one. And why is that? Well, I tend to live with my feet firmly on the ground, I enjoy controlling every aspect of practical life but, you see, my mind and heart do need to wander and take in a bit of fresh and sparkling air in order to gain renewed energy. Daydreamer enters the scene.

Are you a pessimistic or an optimistic person? Do you cross borders sometimes...? I would love to hear how the two world join (or don't) in your life...