The Magician

The Magician is a notable Australian mockumentary film released in 2005 that blends both drama and comedy genres. The movie was directed, written and starred by Scott Ryan. Alongside him, the film also features Ben Walker, Massimiliano Andrighetto, and other talented actors in prominent roles. The Magician is recognized as one of Scott Ryan's finest works, to which he brings an intriguing narrative that is honed by his remarkable prowess in scripting, direction, and acting.

In the movie, Scott Ryan plays Ray Shoesmith, a character that he quintessentially reprised later in the TV series, 'Mr. Inbetween'. Ray is an intricate and multi-layered personality portrayed as a hired hit-man who operates at the dark fringes of society. However, he is not your regular movie hitman. Ray wears many hats, not only as a contracted killer but also as a separated father and a caring friend. Throughout the movie, viewers get to discern the complex and dichotomous nature of Ray's life, which oscillates between human emotions and cut-throat professionalism.

Among the supporting roles, Ben Walker gives a memorable performance as Tony Rickards, a man responsible for filming Ray's curious day-to-day life. Hence, the whole narrative unfolds through Tony's lens, revealing the lesser-explored world of a cold-blooded killer. While Tony is initially taken aback by Ray's callousness, he slowly becomes accustomed to his reality and ends up creating an intriguing portrait of his subject, Ray.

The Magician is a genuine peek into the life of the underworld, showcased without any glamour or glorification that is often associated with mob movies. Instead, it thrives on the minutiae of everyday life, combining elements of stark reality with dry humor. It is an examination of a man who does dangerous work but also exhibits moments of normalcy, friendship, and fatherhood.

The cinematographic style of The Magician is distinctive, resonating with the essence of tightly budgeted indie films. However, despite its limited resources, the movie explicitly leverages this hand-held, documentary-style filming approach which significantly adds to the realism of the narrative. Moreover, it allows for intense character depth, camaraderie between characters, and clever uses of humor, despite the heavy overarching theme of professional hitmanship.

Scott Ryan's performance in The Magician is commendable and shines through the film's simplistic style. It is his captivating performance that adds depth to Ray's character and creates a unique blend of ruthless hitman and struggling, everyday person. This contrast is further highlighted by Ben Walker's role as Tony, who provides an outsider's perspective on Ray’s life, thereby accentuating the film's engaging narrative.

The movie also features Massimiliano Andrighetto in a memorable acting role, contributing compellingly to the overall narrative of the film. Serving as a foil for Ryan's character, Andrighetto brings his own brand of character acting to the mix, adding more layers to the fascinating world Scott Ryan has crafted.

To sum it up, The Magician is a captivating cinematic piece that uses both comedy and drama in a balanced manner to tell an unexpected and refreshingly realistic story about an unconventional protagonist. It remarkably captures the dichotomy of being human and a professional killer, thereby delivering a groundbreakingly understated and gutsy narrative. Scott Ryan, along with the co-actors Ben Walker and Massimiliano Andrighetto, does an exemplary job of bringing this narrative to life, making The Magician a must-watch for fans of independent cinema and dark comedies.