User reviews

You have to be ready, in watching this one, to suspend disbelief and accept the world of the movie for what it is. On the one hand, you have a story about a young girl growing up, experiencing her first love, realizing her neurodiversity and coming to terms with loving herself. On the other hand, you have the zanier stories of the weird, often nutty and larger-than-life adults around her. It's a story where these worlds coexist as one. If anything, you get the feeling that one could not exist without the other.

Newcomers Shayelin Martin and Mikayla Kong are stars. Zooey Schneider as the little sister has some of the best lines in the movie. Tania Webb as the mom is an understated revelation, and Patrick McKenna as the goofy dad could not be more expressive. Colin Mochrie is a riot as sort-of-exterminator Gil, Tara Strong embodies the voice of not-quite-evil doll Captain Cassiopeia, and Debra McGrath as a kindhearted art teacher takes what could have been a one note role and fills it with depth and humor. Steven He radiates kindness as the boy too old for Maggie to fall in love with, and Jordyn Gillis is every middle school mean girl you've ever met.

Watch, accept the silliness and the seriousness as part of the same soup, and enjoy.

"Magnetosphere," featured during the Dances with Films Festival in NY City in December, is a delightful coming-of-age story of 13 year old Maggie as she deals with the typical adolescent ordeals of a first crush, self-doubt, self-image, ostracism in a new school, and so forth. These issues are compounded by also having to come to terms with her synesthesia and the perceptional issues that make her feel all the more different and awkward. This may seem like a heavy topic but in writer/director Nicola Rose's hands the drama is skillfully levened with welcome doses of both broad comedy and gentle humor.

The performances of Shayelin Martin as Maggie and the other young actors portraying Maggie's sister (played by Zooey Schneider) and her peers (especially, Mikayla Kong, as the girl who befriends Maggie and has her own puppy-love issues to contend with) are uniformly excellent. The adult performers-- Tania Webb as Maggie's mother, Steven He as the object of Maggie's crush, and Debra McGrath, as an understanding art teacher-- hit all the right emotive and gently comic notes. Patrick McKenna, portraying Maggie's eccentric regional theater director dad and Colin Mochrie as a wildly weird, Vietnam vet/burned-out hippie handyman deliver the farce and slapstick with appropriately scene chewing performances. Mochrie's characterization, in particular, plays like an over-the-top version of Bill Murray as Carl in "Caddyshack."

With it's deft blend of comedy and the drama of adolescent angst "Magnetosphere" is a perfect film for a target audience of tweens and young teenagers. It would be right at home as a feature on Nickelodeon or Disney Channel.

Maggie is an awkward, melancholy thirteen-year-old girl whose family has just moved to a new town in Ontario in the middle of 1997. There she will face those universal moments of young life: middle school bullies, teenage insecurity and self-loathing, her first true friendship, and falling in love for the first time.

But her perceptions are far different than most people's. She lives in her own world of color, experiencing sounds and moods and people's energies as bright rainbows, gentle glowing, and gloomy clouds in her mirror. She's never heard of synesthesia and doesn't want anyone to know what she's seeing and feeling; there's enough scorn and absurdity around her without the humiliation of just how "weird" she is.

Nicola Rose has made a wonderfully gentle new kind of tale about growing up, with all its anguish and discovery literally colored by a remarkable perspective that's rarely talked about. It may not look like a big-budget Hollywood confection, but the production design, camera work, and vfx keep it vibrant. The story takes its time, getting by on real warmth and a great sense of humor from its eccentric characters (especially Colin Mochrie's wonderfully delusional exterminator who keeps barging in). The acting is excellent across the board, with Shayelin Martin a standout as our protagonist. It elicited laughter and tears from the audience in the theater, connecting with children *and* adults who are caught in a cycle of being painfully hard on themselves. Maggie may be confused by what she sees and feels, and even her eventual diagnosis as a synesthete won't make everything happy and easy, but she is coming closer to self-acceptance and appreciating the human connection she's finally found.

The title comes from a nickname bestowed by the young man Maggie's fallen for, an astronomy student who shares her fascination with the passing Hale-Bopp comet. Like the things she perceives and dwells on, it's a mysterious connection that feeds her soul and helps her emerge from the bubble of deep confusion and self-pity. It's a beautiful and kind movie without a trace of cynicism, something families can share and feel good about as they remember their own times of doubt, confusion, connection, and ultimately a new understanding of the strange and wonderful things that make us who we are.

Magnetosphere is a well-made, entertaining and enjoyable story about an adolescent girl with synesthesia, a neurological condition which causes her to experience multiple senses at once, e.g. To taste words or hear colors.

Like all of Nicola Rose's work, the film has professional production values (impressively done on an indie budget), a solid cast, and engaging characters. The film's serious subject matter is leavened with humor -- I found myself laughing out loud many times during the screening.

Magnetosphere follows a few months in the life of an adolescent girl as she navigates a new home, family conflict, first love, and school bullying. Her typical adolescent angst is magnified (sorry) by her undiagnosed synesthesia, which is brought to life for the audience through the use of colorful animation -- causing us to experience a medical condition as a kind of window into a magical world.

At times, I wished the storyline's conflicts were more focused, but this is a quibble. Overall, I very much enjoyed this impressive, original, and very funny film with its compassionate exploration of a little-understood but very interesting topic.

Magnetosphere is a wonderful film for all ages. It's filled with genuine laughs and has a solid dramatic storyline! It moves at a breezy pace with a nice message for anyone who might feel like they don't "fit in".

The cast really makes the most with the material provided! This is the director's second feature film and it shows growth. I am certain that she will have a lengthy career behind the camera.

I saw this film at the U. S. premiere in New York City .There was a decent crowd at the theater and as I mentioned earlier there were plenty of laughs coming from the audience. The film works ! I'd easily recommend watching it!

I got to see Magnetosphere at its New York City premiere. Magnetosphere is a delightful, relatable coming of age story with a fresh perspective on growing up, self-discovery and acceptance through an engaging sensory journey. The film gives the audience perspective into the challenges of moving into a new home, going to a new school, experiencing first love along with insight into the extraordinary world of what it is like living with synesthesia. Director Nicola Rose and her talented cast give the audience an unforgettable exploration of how embracing our differences helps us find our place in this world. This is a film that the entire family would enjoy.

"Magnetosphere" takes you on a trip that is both magical and very, very real, and therein lies its tremendous draw, appeal, magnetism. I am an impatient viewer normally, but I couldn't take my eyes off the screen! Rose has deftly blended an authentic and moving adolescent narrative with an exploration into the world of synesthesia. The result reveals beneath the anguish of a seemingly ordinary coming-of-age journey, an experience that is unique but also highly relatable. The technical combination of realism and fantasy is handled with skill and care--never too much of either and just the right amount of each, we can both believe and suspend normal belief. And this magic is also thanks to the superb character interpretations by a cast that shines through individual roles and ensemble dynamics. Oh Canada! It is such a pleasure to experience the development of Nicola Rose as a filmmaker and we can't wait to see what comes next!

Magnetosphere is a really delightful film. The characters are endearing, and the story beautifully captures the experiences of an adolescent girl with synesthesia. The use of colors and the unique way her perspective is portrayed are captivating. The film masterfully blends humor and poignancy, offering a heartwarming and uplifting message about embracing and celebrating differences. It normalizes what makes us unique and presents these traits as gifts. The story resonates with the universal challenges of adolescence while maintaining a light tone. The comedic timing was spot-on, with a mix of slapstick and wit that appeals to all ages. My little nephew loved it, and I think audiences of any age will too. The script was well-crafted, the performances were stellar, and the music added depth to the overall experience. Steven He was a pleasant surprise, delivering a performance with far more depth than I expected based on his online presence. It was also fantastic to see Colin Mochrie and other familiar faces from the comedy and improv world. Magnetosphere also handles sensitive themes with great care, making them relatable without being heavy-handed. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a funny and moving movie for all ages.

What a charming cinematic adventure. "Magnetosphere" is a magical feast. I really enjoyed this coming of age story and was fascinated to learn about synesthesia. The child actors were so enjoyable to watch. Nicola Rose infused the film with such creativity to convey the characters' experiences. Watching this film was heartwarming.

I was fortunate to watch this movie at the NYC premiere where I had the pleasure of listening to other audience members laugh and react throughout. You can tell that people of all ages were reacting either collectively or at different moments. Clearly this film is great entertainment for any generation.

I had the opportunity to see Magnetosphere at the Dances with Films Festival in NYC in December. It was a sweet, quirky, funny coming of age story about a girl with synesthesia, a neurological condition which causes her to experience multiple senses at one time - certainly not something that has been interwoven into a story to this degree. I love having a girl be the protagonist and we are on the journey with her as she tries to settle into a new school, deals with her kooky family and the adults around her and as she experiences friendships as well as the first pangs of falling in love. I thought it was very well done and had great production values to boot.

The talk back host at the end of the screening kept insisting this was a kid's movie. Aside from being a little condescending, I felt she missed the point. The movie (to me) is about recognizing how some of our talents can be both an asset and a curse. The discovery is made by a young teen, since we generally become self-aware around our puberty.

But her age does not detract from the philosophy that what makes us unique or apart needs time to be internalized. Much as I find the term 'individualism' overused and over exploited, the movie celebrates the journey to self-acceptance in a charming way. Neuro-divergence is a real thing, no more no less.

A coming-of-age, dramedy that excels at putting us in the world of our main character's synesthesia and has a ton of quirkiness to it. Unfortunately, the comedy is very much that as well, so if you're not a fan of that type of humor, then this might not be your cup of tea and some things do require suspension of disbelief at times. But, if you are a fan of it, then I highly checking out this film, especially if you are also a Colin Mochrie fan! His presence and sense of optimism on screen defiantly makes you laugh at least once and the rest of the cast does a great job acting alongside one another.

I know, no one wants to give a 10 out of 10 because no one or nothing is "perfect." Well, you can define "perfect" however you want. As far as I'm concerned, Magnetosphere hit me at the perfect time on the perfect day, with the perfect story.

It's not a big Hollywood blockbuster kind of film with tens of millions of dollars in high profile casting, production, and effects. But, none of that matters when you can still have a really good cast, very talented production coordinators, and a very well written story. Magnetosphere brings all of that together to thoroughly entertain you with a very charming story.

Not only was it funny, quirky, and feel good charming, but it was educational as well. At least for me. Until seeing Magnetosphere, I've never heard of synesthesia. I loved how this story was presented and how refreshing it was to just be able to sit and be entertained by a very well laid out story without feeling like I was being sold on a 90 minute infomercial for once. And THAT's why I'm giving it a 10.

Filmmaker Nicola Rosa has knocked it out of the park with her latest project, titled "Magnetosphere".

Anyone familiar with her previous works (especially Goodbye, Petrushka) will know her style rather well, which consists of zany, off-the-wall humor paired with a level of seriousness sprinkled in.

Humor aside, though, this film has a very deep message which I feel was perfectly conveyed. At no point does it leave you wondering what's going on or have you second-guessing things.

As for the cast, it has to be said that the family dynamic is absolutely incredible, especially because Maggie / Evie / Russell / Helen contrast each other and have counterparts. Maggie is serious like Helen, whereas Evie is carefree and full of life like Russell.

The only reason I'm not giving this a perfect 10 is I think, at one or two specific points, the scenes were drawn out a bit more than I liked. That very minor gripe aside, though? This is a blast, and will very quickly make a name for itself, if not just because the premise is so unique and everything is just so well-done.

My children and I truly enjoyed the experience of this film. The characters and plot are 'larger than life' in some ways, evoking a cartoon or comic book presentation, perhaps in the way a child or young adult might artistically reflect on her own life. The teenage angst theme is relatable to all. The magic-like visual representations of the main character's senses give it a whimsical feel while also educating the audience on a very real phenomenon. It's a sweet, creative, feel-good film with some fun 90s nostalgia thrown in. Highly recommend. I am excited to see what Nicola Rose creates next.

My family and I really enjoyed Magnetosphere, a well-told story about Maggie (played by Shayelin Martin), a thirteen-year-old girl who is learning to live with a brain that works differently from those around her. Magnetosphere is a quirky comedy in many ways, but it also has tones of seriousness, and even sometimes sadness. Magnetosphere is a film that's family-friendly, without necessarily being a "children's" film - but it speaks to viewers of all ages. The performances by the actors are all excellent, and production value is high on this independent film. It's well worthy of your time, and if you like comedies about growing up, you'll enjoy this.

Many elements come together to form a cohesive whole: synesthesia, teen crush, new kid in town, sibling relationships, musical theater people, sock puppets, astronomy, and more in a visual treat of special effects and Canadian scenery. The acting is engaging and the feelings of the teenage girls are all too real.

Every aspect of this film is a delight. All the cast and crew are to be congratulated on a well-assembled product that elicits laughter and sympathy. The integration of special effects and animation add to the beauty and quality of the story.

Nicola Rose shows that she knows teenage girls. She also knows sincere bur slightly over-enthusiastic parents, caring teachers, and goofy handymen. They will all charm you.

I am a composer with Chromesthesia, a type of Synesthesia where pitches trigger colors, so I watched Magnetosphere with great interest. This is the first movie about this phenomena I've ever watched, and it was fascinating. I was truly touched by the wonderful story and it is a beautiful kaleidoscope of humor as well as deep issues. The movie is atmospheric and artful. I enjoyed the sound design, music, decor and lighting that worked together to create such and artsy vibe. The actors were perfect in their roles and made me both laugh and cry. Magnetosphere is most definitely a unique movie about an intriguing topic, a cinematic feast for all.

This film was touching, funny and well-acted, not least by the two child stars. It dives into a real but little-known neurological phenomenon, which endows those who have it with quasi-magical perceptions. We enter this world through the experiences of young Maggie (Shayelin Martin). Her younger sister is a riot. The eclectic cast is great, with lovable, off-beat character portrayals. This film isn't just for children, but definitely for adults too.

The writer/director is surprisingly inventive and original. Whoever did the casting should get an award. For me it was a diverting, worthwhile good time.

This film is tender, moving, and quietly powerful. Maggie's experience with synesthesia was fascinating, but what stayed with me most was her deep sense of not belonging. I connected with her - not because of how she sees the world, but because of that quiet ache of feeling different, of not quite fitting in. The film doesn't try too hard to be meaningful or profound. It simply lets emotion come through gently, with care. The family dynamics are messy and interesting, full of contradiction and tension - but love is still there, even if it doesn't always show up clearly. This film is tender, moving, and quietly powerful. Maggie's experience with synesthesia was fascinating, but what stayed with me most was her deep sense of not belonging. I connected with her - not because of how she sees the world, but because of that quiet ache of feeling different, of not quite fitting in. The film doesn't try too hard to be meaningful or profound. It simply lets emotion come through gently, with care. The family dynamics are messy and interesting, full of contradiction and tension - but love is still there, even if it doesn't always show up clearly. And the handyman, with his odd charm and unpredictability, adds unexpected layers to the story. It's a film that lingers quietly - honest, human, and unexpectedly affecting.

This film was such a beautiful journey. The adult and the youth characters/actors all have substance, grounded performances and moments of humor. Debra McGrath's character, Ms. Deering, represents that one teacher we all remember fondly who understood us when we needed it most.

Every actor brings truth, honesty and stellar performances, from industry up and comers, Shayelin Martin and Tania Webb to comedy icons, Colin Mochrie, Deb McGrath, Patrick McKenna, Tara Strong & Steven He. The colors, direction and cinematography relay the world of neuro-diversity beautifully. Most importantly, the film has heart and you feel for hero's journey.

This is a really sweet movie. It has some very funny parts, and is also super poignant. It's a coming of age with a neuro-diverse twist. Wonderful direction, writing, and acting. Highly recommended for anyone who has ever felt like an outsider (which I imagine is most people). I teared up at the end, so that is how you tell it is a very effective, beautiful story. Also, it features puppetry and singing! The film has a great story arc for its main character, but also for the supporting ones. Overall, it tugs at the heart strings while making you laugh out loud in parts, which I think makes it a great movie to watch!

This is a beautifully written and directed film--I enjoyed it even more than her last one. Although the subject matter concerns the special growing pains of the film's 13-year old protagonist, Maggie, as a middle-aged man, I found it relatable and the characters fully engaging. The added dimension of Maggie's special senory skills, creates a touching and clever spin on teenage angst. The dialogue and story line were excellent and held my interest completely throughout.

Particularly impressive were Shayelin Martin as Maggie, and the ever-funny Colin Mochrie as Gil in one of the more hilarious misfits I've seen in a while.

A good number of big laughs too. Nicola Rose keeps evolving.

Saw this delightful, quirky film at its New York Premiere. While perfect for teens and tweens, my spouse and I thoroughly enjoyed the movie. Each character had its own deserved place in the story line and effectively illustrated life's influencers on the development of a young girl. Especially touching was her infatuation with a young man - yet too old for her - a member of her father's drama club. What young girl has not experienced this feeling of "first love." Central to the story line is Maggie's "condition" synesthesia which makes her see sounds, hear colors and more. Not aware that this is an actual perceptual phenomenon, Maggie feels alone, confused and different. How this plays out and how she learns to accept it produces a story both heartwarming and whimsical. Strongly recommended for all ages.

This movie was so well done. Loved watching a 13 year old girl fall in love for the first time. Being 13 is not easy and the young woman who played Maggie made me remember what it was like. The young performers did a great job. The actors were fabulous. There was a great deal of laughter, love and some tears. The quirkiness of many of the characters was enlightening and brought much joy to the performances. I really enjoyed this movie and the subject matter. Looking forward to more movies by this director and her wonderful cast. Also really enjoyed some of the bloopers at the end. The cast seemed to really enjoy each other.