MindReader

Wow, how refreshing to see a movie with no bad language, blood or raw sex. Indy movies don't usually get my vote but I stumbled on this and am glad I did. Best movie I've seen this year. A mindreader uses his gift to run a small show at a small theater. The Magic Association is against him because they can't figure out his "trick." They want him to admit it's a trick and he has no supernatural abilities. It has hints of the Bible and miracles performed by Jesus and his followers. It feels like a play with 4 or 5 sets but moves beyond that. Interesting when people can't explain the supernatural. I would highly recommend this for all ages.

'The mindreader' is an allegory of Christ's persecution by the Pharisees. Hamish Briggs plays a stage performer with a mindreading act which is 'too good'. He comes to the attention of a powerful association of stage magicians, who for the life of them are unable to fathom how Briggs works his act. Utterly baffled, they decide to take him out.

This concept holds promise, and is enough to hold your interest. Even so, the realization is a disappointment. Writer and director Rich Christiano is like a hamfisted pianist who insists music is entirely about playing the right notes. The result is entirely mundane.

Production values are reminiscent of 1930s Poverty Row films. Actors go to their marks, deliver their lines, go their marks, deliver their lines, and so on. Briggs is the best part, but he's no more than pretty good. Supporting actors overact, doing him no favors. The 'get out the violin' scenes get out the violins. Literally.

This lasts about an hour, after which follows part two. It turns out the part one is in fact a movie, and a group of students discuss the allegory in tedious, agonizing, mind numbing, wooden detail. Perhaps Christiano didn't have enough footage for a full length movie and needed to pad it out.

Commenters on YouTube loved 'The mindreader', showing it appeals to a certain Christian film audience. But there is not enough depth to convert unbelievers.

PS> Ingmar Bergman's 'Ansiktet' (English title: 'The magician') uses a very similar theme, and is an incomparably better film. Watch it.

7.5 stars.

This is an impactful and somewhat motivational movie. You can tell right away that it's an allegory about Christianity. But there is a major twist that happens near the end, and you will be completely blown away. There's no way you'll be able to guess the shocking and radical course correction the story takes. Trust me, you will not guess, guaranteed. And it struck without warning and was surreal. Even after the reveal, you will be dazed.

It's as if the movie itself is a magic trick within a magic trick, and the theme is emphasized exponentially. On the other hand, the way the surprise is presented also leaves us a bit deflated after it sinks in. Nevertheless, it's genius.

After the reveal, the film becomes preachy and strays from the exciting path it forged. A previously spellbound audience begins to acknowledge the reality that this story, while quite original, is somewhat anticlimactic.

There are alternative endings I could conjure that might have been preferable. Nevertheless, kudos on the big surprise. I would normally rate this at 8.0 for entertainment value, however the desire to rewatch factor is very low. It doesn't lend itself to repeat viewings, unless perhaps you show it to your church or youth group.

Very well made movie! So the story is not what you will expect from it. I went in blanco, not knowing what it was about. First I thought it was just some mystery or drama movie about a certain trick of a magician, but I was hooked enough at the beginning. Halfway I was like: that's really good storytelling! I enjoyed it very much. The end was a bit off, but was not bad. Not sure how they could have done that better. I think this movie is a very good adding to Christian movies these days. Bravo to the storytellers and the actors! I really enjoyed it and this will be one of my favorite movies. Well done!