Marvelous and the Black Hole

Like Edward Scissorhands before it, this is an imaginative film about characters struggling to find their path forward.  They - like much of the populous in Marvelous and the Black Hole - are dangling by a thread in between stations in life.  Good thing there is a bit of MAGIC to push them in the right direction.

"there is a striking sense of artistry, passion, and colorfulness stirred up on the screen"


Marvelous and the Black Hole is blessed.  It is both FUN and damned REFRESHING in its endless spirit.  Inspired, in fact!  There is no other word for this wickedly smart film that dares to pull inspiration from the depths of grief and despair as its lead character, Sammy Ko (Miya Cech) finds a target for all the angst that has her smoking at school, giving herself tattoos, and generally acting out for all to see.  That target is her father, Angus (Leonardo Nam), who is dating way too soon (or so she thinks) after the death of her mother.  Heads will roll.

From the very beginning of Marvelous and the Black Hole, just like most graphic novels achieve in their audience, there is a striking sense of artistry, passion, and colorfulness stirred up on the screen and, already, writer/director Kate Tsang wins you over with her vision of this world as seen through Sammy's eyes.  There is a poetry that is gassing this film’s dynamic engine and everything fires - including the cast, the script, the direction, the cinematography, and the art design - as it should, making sure that this coming-of-age story, about a teenage delinquent befriending a cranky magician, absolutely works to shine a light upon the darkness which inspired it.

Marvelous and the Black Hole is a stunning example of independent cinema.  And it is no wonder as Tsang, having written for Adventure Time and Steven Universe, is blessed with the ability to weave together imaginative and offbeat stories that absolutely set fire to your heart strings.  This is the case of Sammy and Margot, an odd couple who make a lot of sense together.Marvelous and the Black Hole

Starring up-and-comer Miya Cech (Surfside Girls) as Sammy and the one and only Rhea Perlman (Cheers, Matilda) as Margot, Marvelous and the Black Hole begins with an ultimatum from Sammy’s father: do better by taking a community college class or do summer camp to correct your behavior.  And it is on one of those smoke breaks at community college where she runs into Margot, who makes Sammy her apprentice, ultimately helping her navigate her own inner demons and dysfunctional family with sleight of hand magic, folklore, and sketch art.

Marvelous and the Black Hole is refreshing in its handling of Asian American characters and its darkly human themes.  It is a coming-of-age comedy that touches on unlikely friendships, grief, and finding hope in the darkest moments.  This is a film full of the joy and the wonder of youth and it should be celebrated by everyone who comes in contact with its orbit.

FilmRise is proud to present Marvelous and the Black Hole in theaters ONLY on Friday, April 22nd.  How punk rock is that?!

5/5 stars

 

Film Details

Marvelous and the Black Hole

MPAA Rating: Unrated.
Runtime:
81 mins
Director
: Kate Tsang
Writer:
Kate Tsang
Cast:
Miya Cech; Rhea Perlman; Leonardo Nam
Genre
: Comedy
Tagline:
A film by Kate Tsang.
Memorable Movie Quote: "What is your passion and how do we turn that passion into money?"
Distributor:
Filmrise
Official Site: https://filmrise.com/film/marvelous-and-the-black-hole
Release Date:
May 10, 2019
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date:
April 22, 2022 (theaters only).
Synopsis: A teenage delinquent (Miya Cech, "Surfside Girls," ALWAYS BE MY MAYBE) befriends a surly magician (Rhea Perlman, "Cheers," MATILDA) who helps her navigate her inner demons and dysfunctional family with sleight of hand magic. A coming-of-age comedy that touches on unlikely friendships, grief, and finding hope in the darkest moments.

Art

Marvelous and the Black Hole