So the thing is, I love Steven Soderbergh’s Magic Mike. The movie is a lot smarter than it has ever been
given credit for, and in the wake of the release of its worthy follow-up, Magic Mike XXL (my review here), I
thought it be fun to take a look back at the wildly misunderstood source film.
For the most part, I’m going to focus on the technical aspects of the film –
cinematography, editing, sound design – which are sadly rarely discussed.
Never a bad idea to use Saul Bass’ ‘70s-era Warner Bros. logo.
One of Steven Soderbergh’s favorite maxims is that the audience will forgive poor video, but
they’ll never forgive poor audio. This is why the sound design in
Soderbergh’s films is always on point. Notice how sound immediately sets the
mood in Magic Mike. The hollow echo
of women chatting, a gentle breeze for tone, Matthew McConaughey amping up the
crowd. Cheers, applause, cat calls – the sound is telling us where we are
before we see where we are.
Always a good sign when the opening shot of a movie is a
perfect one.
The grammar of film dictates that you start a scene with a
master shot (a shot from far away to establish the setting) then push in with a
series of shots (medium, medium-close, close-up). So, showing two insanely wide
master shots from parallel angles before cutting to a close-up of Dallas
(Matthew McConaughey) defies cinematic convention. That’s Soderbergh for you,
always breaking the rules.
The jump cut to the month title cards. So startling when the
sound gives out.
The first time I saw this film, the moment the camera whip
panned from one side of Mike’s (Channing Tatum) truck to the other, I knew I
was going to love Magic Mike. There’s
an efficiency to the shot that I find awe-inspiring.
This long, second story-to-roof crane shot. Take in all
in.
The foreman busting Adam’s (Alex Pettyfer) balls because he
took two Pepsis.
Sound again. Soderbergh loves to lead with sound, meaning
as one scene is ending, we often hear the sound of the next scene fade in, before actually cutting to that scene.
Example: As Mike walks to his car, we hear the sound of a car failing to start,
then we cut to Adam trying to start his car. It’s a nice little touch that
injects some energy into the movie.
Love that the deep yellow, sun-drenched color palette (achieved
with double straw camera filters) holds up at night, just as much as it does
during the day.
Here’s Magic Mike’s
writer, Reid Carolin, as Brooke’s date, Paul. Paul fucking rocks. His
pontificating dialogue, his attachment to his cell phone, drinking
wine when Brooke is drinking beer, the lame clothes, awkward facial hair – Carolin
plays a douche to perfection.
How quickly the film establishes Mike as a genuinely good
guy. Respectful, responsible, good work ethic, and always has a friend’s back.
It would be so easy to play this character as a jock asshole, but Tatum was so
smart to infuse charm into the character.
I love the framing of this shot. Putting your subjects in
the lower third of the frame disobeys all convention of cinematography. But
holy shit if it doesn’t work perfectly here.
The only time the yellow color grading goes away is when the
boys are on stage, presented in all their natural glory.
Dallas nervously watching as Adam dances his first ever set.
McConaughey’s intensity in this movie is hysterical.
Back to the sound design. It’s so rare for a mainstream
American film to feature overlapping dialogue. But Soderbergh encourages it
here. Everyone in this room is engaged in a different conversation, which is
exactly what would be happening in real life during this situation.
This shot rocks. We start on Adam’s face and tilt down to
reveal the birthday girl getting ready to go down on him, then we keep tilting,
the camera flips upside down, tilts back up and shows Mike making out with
another girl. Seriously, who the hell has the stones to pull off shots like
this?
Mike’s backflip off the bridge.
The way the majority of Mike’s signature dance to “Pony” is
shot from Brooke’s (Cody Horn) perspective.
Again, no one
starts a scene with the subjects out of frame. I LOVE that Soderbergh has fun
with the camera.
Love how Soderbergh often drops the natural sound and plays
a song over sequences in the film. The introduction of the sandbar party is one
of the best examples of this.
“She’s a little… uptight.”
“Okay well we’re fucking her not taking her to dinner.”
Dallas’ financial monologue on the sandbar is my favorite
scene of McConaughey’s in the film. Absolutely priceless. And what is he
drinking out of? A fucking lead wine glass?
This stare.
The jump cut of Mike calling Johnna, to them lying on his
couch post coital.
Also, this is my favorite shot in the film. It’s so simple,
yet so unique. Love the way both of their faces are seen, even though they
aren’t looking at each other.
Dallas getting upset that Big Dick Richie (Joe Manganiello) is
standing on his chair. “Richie, that’s fuckin’ microsuede, man.”
Love that the preppy frat boys are all short and skinny. The
way they stand in the background is hilarious. They know they can’t do shit.
The way the chick who’s rolling on ecstasy just watches
as the fight goes down.
I’ve always wondered if Ryan, Johnna’s surprise fiancé,
knows about Johnna’s proclivity for screwing other people.
I don’t know what’s better: Dallas and Mike coming this close to fighting, or Adam’s excitement
at anticipating the fight.
Doesn’t matter what you think about this movie or Channing
Tatum in general, the dance scene that begins with Mike spinning around is
fucking impressive.
A shot from below (even though the stage isn’t clear)? Hell
yes.
Mike telling Adam, “Yo, we’re gonna get fucked up tonight.”
Because sometimes when you’re having a shitty day, that’s all you can do.
Mike and Adam’s fucked up night is my favorite sequence
in the film. The black and white drug deal, rolling in the club, the blue and
red sex scene, the floating camera throughout – incredible.
This shot. The bold angle really puts you in Adam’s hungover
frame of mind.
Mike and Brooke’s argument has been criticized a lot,
what with Tatum’s stammering and Horn’s unemotional delivery. But I love it.
The way Tatum and Horn speak are such audacious character choices, and I’ve
always found truth in them. People stammer when they’re upset in real life.
People scoff and act detached. I understand why some don’t like watching it in
a movie, but it’s always felt real to me.
Adam’s arrogant speech to Mike. Really seals the deal that Adam
is a complete and utter selfish asshole. (And the way we can hear the ice bang
against his plastic cup is a great touch.)
Soderbergh is a self-proclaimed font snob, and his font
choices are always on point.
More No One Talks About Lists
Loved reading this. It's really a lot smarter than the "fluff" that some people make it out to be.
ReplyDeleteThanks man. Couldn't agree more.
DeleteOh man, the framing is awesome. I love that scene where Mike and Adam get fucked up. I wonder what was the music in that. I keep thinking it's Black Rebel Motorcycle Club or something. I also love McConaughey's performance in that film. I also notice how stiff Kevin Nash is as Tarzan in terms of dance moves but I think that is intentional. After all, Nash gets a lot of jokes from wrestling fans for tearing his quad back in 2002.
ReplyDeleteSo happy you're a fan of this movie. I love how Tarzan just goes out there and kind of stands around and barely moves. Hilarious. He shakes it up a little bit more in the sequel, which is priceless.
DeleteOh, cool. I hope Nash doesn't tear his quad again.
DeleteAlex-- Great job on this list, as always. I love your list.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! I really appreciate that.
DeleteGreat list! I wasn't a fan of the yellow tint, but I like how it was shot.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Fair enough about those filters - such a polarizing visual choice. But I'm glad you're on point with other aspects of the cinematography.
DeleteGreat list! I hated this movie, but I love that you pointed out the yellow tint, because that's one thing I remember liking very much.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I'm glad you like something about the movie ;-)
DeleteGreat list! It really is one of my favourite Soderbergh films. The yellow tint annoyed me when I first watched it, but after watching it for the second time, I realised that any other visual palette wouldn't have worked half as well as the yellow. It's definitely my favourite McConaughey performance, too. He's just so confident, charismatic and effortless here. Also, Cody Horn should be highlighted more. I love her here.
ReplyDeleteThanks Aditya! Just to geek out for a second: if you use a filter like that on your lens, there is no going back from it, you cannot "delete" the look in editing. The only way to get rid of it is to reshoot the entire scene. So, I really appreciate Soderbergh's audaciousness in using those filters.
DeleteSO happy you like this movie so much. Great to hear that you like Horn's work in the film.
Your favorite shot in the film reminds me so much of that shot with Tom Cruise and Samantha Morton in Minority Report.
ReplyDeleteYeah man for sure. Something about both being there, but looking away... I dunno, it gets me.
DeleteNice work, as always buddy! I like this film, but I really don't love it like so many. I found the hype to be...too much for the film to live up to, but it is BEAUTIFULLY shot, and this post really makes that abundantly clear.
ReplyDeleteThanks man! Few people like this film more than I do, so that's definitely fair enough. But I'm glad you think it looks pretty!
DeleteI really liked this movie so much more than i thought i would. Before this (and 21 Jump Street) i had never really been a fan of Channing Tatum at all. I just thought of him as another boring and bland meat head that Hollywood was trying to force down our throats as the next big star, but these days i'm actually kind of a fan of the guy. Matthew McConaughey is the one who steals the entire movie for me though. He was fantastic. The fact that he is not returning for the sequel and that Soderbergh isn't the director is a big reason i'm not really looking forward to the sequel. I also didn't really think Magic Mike ever needed a sequel anyway.
ReplyDeleteHaywire was the Tatum turning point for me. He's barely in it, but I thought his work was controlled and riveting. I agree that Magic Mike didn't need a sequel (so few movies do), but what they did create a worthy follow-up to the original. It's not as good, but it's good enough, for sure.
DeleteAwesome list! My favorite little bit in the movie is when Manganiello is picking up really heavy girl and then it's so clear he hurt his back :D McConaughey was on fire in this movie but I too loved the unique camera shots and color patette
ReplyDeleteThanks! I had that Manganiello moment listed here initially (so good), but cut it in editing. I love how he just looks over at Dallas like, "Nah man, can't do it. Can't do it."
DeleteHaven't seen the film since I saw it in the cinema. Great thoughts and reminders here. The shots of McConaughey and the angles used are ones I will and do remember.
ReplyDeleteGood stuff, glad you're a fan of the movie. It's one that gets better every time I watch it.
DeleteBeautiful work here man! I've only seen the film once, so I really should revisit it.
ReplyDeleteThanks buddy!
DeleteGreat analysis Alex, you really know your stuff.
ReplyDeleteThanks man! I really appreciate that.
DeleteI wasn't the biggest fan of this movie, but your analysis and eye for detail is outstanding.
ReplyDeleteThanks! It's a difficult one to love, but it really is a technical marvel to me.
Delete