Ordinary Magic is a 1993 American comedy-drama film directed by Giles Walker. The story revolves around a 6-year-old girl named Gina, who lives with her parents in a small town. Gina's parents are going through a rough patch in their relationship, and Gina feels caught in the middle. One day, Gina discovers a magic wand in her backyard, which she believes has the power to solve all her problems. She starts using the wand to perform "magic" tricks, hoping to bring her family back together. However, as the story progresses, Gina learns that real magic lies not in the wand, but in the love and support of her family.
Film Review: Ordinary Magic
Growing up in the late 1980s and early 1990s, I saw a lot of “family entertainment” movies, many of which I will be going back and doing reviews for on this site. The 90s saw a huge increase in these lower-budget family movies, one of which is Ordinary Magic. Ordinary Magic was released in 1993 and is the feature film debut of Ryan Reynolds. It is based on the novel Ganesh by Malcom Bosse and directed by Jefferson Lewis.
The film opens with a scene of a 15-year-old boy, Ganesh (Ryan Reynolds) digging up a small tin containing money and photos. We quickly learn our story takes place first, and through flashbacks, in India before Ganesh travels to a Canadian winter to stay with his aunt, Charlotte (Glenne Headly). After arriving in Canada and getting settled, Ganesh watches the fireplace and is reminded of his father’s cremation back in India.
Ganesh explores his aunt’s large home and finds pictures and artifacts of a family he never knew. After mistakenly putting an electric kettle on the stove, Charlotte takes him into to town to buy him some warm clothes. After finding some, but not the most stylish, Ganesh is enrolled in school where even the teacher makes fun of his accent and mannerisms.
During P.E., his class is timed to see how long they can hold their breath underwater. Here is when we find the scene from the poster and VHS cover with Ganesh (also called Jeffrey) holding his breath for over three minutes before the teacher dives in to “rescue” him. We learn that Ganesh has learned controlled breathing and Yoga while in India, and slows down his breathing by meditating.
Meanwhile, the city’s mayor, who happens to be a former best friend of Ganesh’s father, is involved in a project to create the Grand Valley Resort. Everything is set except one small piece of land – Parcel 225 – Charlotte’s land.
Time passes and Ganesh is still being picked on in school but is befriended by another boy Tom, whom Ganesh teaches some Yoga to. Charlotte goes away for a couple of days to find Ganesh has put up all the old photos he found in the attic. Charlotte is amazed at the family history before her, and tells Ganesh of the plans to sell the house, which she is suddenly very reluctant to do.
When mobster/developer Joey (Paul Anka) decides to take the house by force, Ganesh decides to follow his father’s example at peacefully protesting by meditating on the front porch. Charlotte joins him, as does a little neighbor girl. As time ticks down, bulldozers and backhoes arrive but are stopped by the growing gathering of children on the porch. Not wanting to give up, Joey jumps in the driver’s seat of a backhoe and starts towards the protestors with an outcome all too predictable.
Until Ordinary Magic, Reynolds’s only other credits were a Canadian teen sitcom called Fifteen. Headly had a few more roles under her belt in Fandango, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and the TV Mini-Series Lonesome Dove. The duo of Reynolds and Headly carry the movie well as it goes along at a good pace. The introduction of stereotypical gangster Paul Anka (yes, he also sings in the movie) was an interesting casting choice and almost takes away from the otherwise true character portrayals in the film.
The cinematography and switching from India to Canada were believable and well done. The streets of India (according to IMDB several scenes were filmed in Sri Lanka) were convincing and even though we only saw him in flashbacks, Ganesh’s father (David Fox) gave a convincing performance as a loving dad caring for his son in a foreign country.
And Reynolds? Well, it was his first film role and he did a good job at carrying it, especially for a young performer. If the film were made today, he would probably be critiqued for his broken Indian accent, but in the context of this one film, it was believable. While it is a typical family film with a telegraphed ending, it should hold the attention of both kids and adults for a family night movie they can all watch together.
You can find Ordinary Magic streaming for free on Tubi.tv or for rental on Amazon Prime.
Ordinary Magic
An inspirational tale of individualism and assimilation, “Ordinary Magic” has the scope and texture of made-for-TV fare. Amiable small film seems aimed to the youth-oriented small-screen market and should spark some international interest there.
Pic deals with Jeffrey (Ryan Reynolds), a 15-year-old orphan who, upon the death of his parents, travels to a small Ontario town to live with his aunt Charlotte (Glenne Headly). As expatriates, Jeffrey’s parents had lived for many years in India fighting social injustice.
As young Jeffrey tries to integrate himself into the local community, he discovers that he also can continue his parents’ cause when his aunt receives an eviction notice: The family home is skedded to be demolished to make way for a ski resort complex.
Following Gandhi’s principle of passive resistance, the boy and his aunt begin a hunger strike. Needless to say, their independent spirit eventually wins over the town.
Singer Paul Anka does a turn as the heavy, playing a smarmy real estate baron.
Tech credits are OK, replete with colorful flashbacks to India. While the actors work hard, script’s overall facile characterizations and predictable plot development detract from real tension.
However, as the story progresses, Gina learns that real magic lies not in the wand, but in the love and support of her family. The film beautifully captures the innocence and imagination of childhood. Gina's belief in the magic wand reflects her desire for an idealized family life.
Ordinary Magic
Through her interactions with her parents, Gina begins to understand that true magic comes from within, and that her family's love is what truly matters. The performances in Ordinary Magic are heartfelt and genuine. Ryan Reynolds, who plays Gina's father, delivers a touching portrayal of a man struggling to balance his own needs with his responsibilities as a parent. Glenne Headly shines as Gina's mother, bringing depth and vulnerability to her character. The film also explores themes of forgiveness and self-discovery. Gina learns that everyone makes mistakes, and that forgiveness is a powerful tool for healing and growth. Through her journey, she discovers her own strength and resilience, and learns to embrace her imperfections. Overall, Ordinary Magic is a charming and heartwarming film that reminds us of the power of love and family. It highlights the importance of cherishing the ordinary moments in life and finding magic in the everyday. With its relatable characters and genuine emotions, the film leaves a lasting impression on its viewers..
Reviews for "The Evolution of Fantasy Films Since Ordinary Magic 1993"
1. Emily - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Ordinary Magic 1993". The storyline was predictable and cliché, and the acting was subpar. The characters lacked depth and development, and I found it hard to connect with any of them. The special effects were also underwhelming and did not add to the overall appeal of the film. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and would not recommend this movie.
2. Michael - 1/5 stars - "Ordinary Magic 1993" was a complete waste of time. The plot was all over the place and the pacing was incredibly slow. The acting was mediocre at best, with wooden performances from the lead actors. The supposed "magical" elements were poorly executed and felt forced. I struggled to stay engaged throughout the film and was ultimately left feeling underwhelmed and frustrated.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "Ordinary Magic 1993" but was sorely disappointed. The story lacked originality and failed to captivate my attention. The character development was weak, and I found it hard to care about what happened to any of them. The attempts at humor fell flat, and the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. Overall, I found the film to be a forgettable and uninspiring experience.