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7.2/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 7.2/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Trick for Trick remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you like movies that feel like a dusty magic shop you found in a basement, sure. It’s short, it’s weird, and it doesn’t care about being realistic. If you need clean pacing or modern logic, you’ll probably want to skip this one.
It’s a 1933 flick, so everything moves at this odd, stilted pace. Characters walk into rooms, say exactly what they’re thinking, and then leave. It’s charming in a way that feels like you're watching a play through a screen.
The whole thing is built around Azrah, a magician who seems to have a trick for every single problem. Someone threatens him? He pulls a switch. Someone asks a question? He plays a recording. It’s almost exhausting just watching him work.
The seance scene is the highlight. It’s got that classic 'lights off, lights on' murder mystery vibe where you know someone’s going to get stabbed. When they find La Tour dead in the chair, it’s not exactly shocking, but the way everyone reacts is so dramatic it’s almost funny.
I couldn't help but think of the theatricality in Foolish Wives. There's a similar sense of people performing for each other, even when they think no one else is looking.
The ending is a total mess of exposition. Azrah just stands there and explains the whole plot for five minutes straight. It’s like the writers realized they had a knot they couldn't untie, so they just cut it with a knife.
I think I liked the *idea* of this movie more than the actual watch. It’s one of those films that keeps you guessing, mostly because half the characters are acting like they’re in a completely different genre. It’s not great, but it’s definitely not boring either. 🎩