What a strange trip Buck Howard and dedicated assistant Troy Gable take in “The Great Buck Howard,” a comedy about an aspiring writer and the fading entertainer who hires him.
The great John Malkovich nails the complicated being that is mentalist Buck Howard.
The magician is a glad-hander and misanthrope, a consummate professional and a diva of snarled retorts. A favored line: “Do you know how many times I was on with Johnny?” Of course, he means Carson.
Cincinnati’s a far cry from the “Tonight Show” set. Yet, that’s where Buck promises to perform his most amazing “effect.” That’s where Troy meets up with a publicist (Emily Blunt).
Colin Hanks plays the law school dropout who wants to be a writer but also needs a job.
Hanks is a likable performer playing a nice guy. Like father, like son, you might say. Although when Hanks’ real-life dad, Tom, arrives onscreen, he gives a terrifically dyspeptic turn as a disapproving parent. A fine and spiky moment comes when Buck meets Mr. Gable.
The Buck character owes a debt to the Amazing Kreskin: The real-life, still-working mentalist’s signature trick was locating his night’s pay once it was hidden in the audience.
Was it a scam or something more uncanny?
With Troy’s coming-into-his-own ruminations, the story should belong to him. But the movie’s all Malkovich. He hits the razor notes of Buck’s overblown ego without his own performance turning to ham.
Just as in “Burn After Reading,” the craftsman’s pursuit of character, warts and vulnerability intact, is adamant.
He makes it hard to pass up this Buck.
“The Great Buck Howard”
Written and directed by Sean McGinly; photography by Tak Fujimoto; starring John Malkovich, Colin Hanks, Emily Blunt, Steve Zahn, Debra Monk, Griffin Dunne. PG for some language, including suggestive remarks, and a drug reference. 87 minutes. Opens today at the Chez Artiste.
