In & Of Itself

Directed by Frank Oz, In & Of Itself, a filmed adaptation of Derek DelGaudio’s eponymous one-man show, follows the magician/performance artist as he explores issues relating to identity and performs a series of mind-bending illusions. It’s an ostensibly simple setup that’s employed to entertaining and progressively spellbinding effect by Oz, as the filmmaker delivers a briskly-paced endeavor that benefits quite substantially from DelGaudio’s hypnotic personality – which ensures that the picture is affecting even in its smaller, more low-key moments. (This is particularly true of a riveting early segment wherein DelGaudio tells a story about an escalating game of Russian Roulette.) And although there are a very small handful of less-than-enthralling moments, including a short stretch centered on card tricks, In & Of Itself progresses into an increasingly captivating second half that’s been jam-packed with mesmerizing, heartwrenching interludes – with the best and most obvious example of this an absolutely astonishing sequence involving audience members and a mysterious letter. By the time the thoroughly affecting finale rolls around, In & Of Itself has cemented its place as a singular, completely unforgettable experience that could hardly pack a more potent emotional punch.

**** out of ****