Adding to the impressively long list of films Woody Allen has been a part of, Magic In The Moonlight, the latest from the prolific director, opens this month. Set in the 1920s, Magic follows the story of Stanley Crawford (Colin Firth), a magician who prides himself on his ability to debunk fake spiritualists. That is, until he crosses paths with the captivating and confounding clairvoyant Sophie Baker (Emma Stone) who proves to be a mystery all on her own. The film hits theaters July 25, but The A.V. Club has an opportunity for you to attend an early screening on July 21 here in Chicago. Simply follow the link here and fill out your information. Winners will be notified no later than July 18. Remember, seating is first come, first serve; so arrive early! A full synopsis and trailer for the film can be found below.
“Chinese conjuror Wei Ling Soo is the most celebrated magician of his age, but few know that he is the stage persona of Stanley Crawford (Colin Firth), a grouchy and arrogant Englishman with a sky-high opinion of himself and an aversion to phony spiritualists’ claims that they can perform real magic. Persuaded by his life-long friend, Howard Burkan (Simon McBurney), Stanley goes on a mission to the Côte d’Azur mansion of the Catledge family: mother Grace (Jacki Weaver), son Brice (Hamish Linklater), and daughter Caroline (Erica Leerhsen). He presents himself as a businessman named Stanley Taplinger in order to debunk the alluring young clairvoyant Sophie Baker (Emma Stone) who is staying there with her mother (Marcia Gay Harden). Sophie arrived at the Catledge villa at the invitation of Grace, who is convinced that Sophie can help her contact her late husband, and once there, attracted the attention of Brice, who has fallen for her head over heels. What follows is a series of events that are magical in every sense of the word and send the characters reeling. In the end, the biggest trick MAGIC IN THE MOONLIGHT plays is the one that fools us all.”