Deceptive Practice: The Mysteries and Mentors of Ricky Jay (2012)

A Disappointing Continuation

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

This episode of "American Masters" in one of the strangest in the series. Usually these shows are about famous musicians, architects, photographers, actors, artists and the like. Here, however, the subject is definitely a different sort of artist--a slight of hand artist named Rickey Jay. Also unusual is that although I'd seen Jay in a few small roles in movies, I had absolutely who he was or what made him famous. Even more unusual is that the subject narrates the film and takes the viewer on a journey with him.The show is about Jay and his obsession with magic. But, there is a strong emphasis on the sleight of hand artist--the magician who often used cards but who avoided traditional magic props used for 'big' acts. He talks about the many previous sleight of hand artists who were the greats and who contributed to Jay's education in the subject. Overall, it's very interesting and builds an interest even if the viewer didn't previously care about this sort of magic. Well worth seeing.

The other reviews of Deceptive Practice on this site run the gamut, proving that no single film is for everyone. But I would say that if you enjoy optical illusions, there is a good chance you might enjoy this film.Deceptive Practice is a biographical documentary, but it is more than that. Ricky Jay's life spans a particular era in the history of magic and, through associations, extends to earlier generations of magicians.I was never one who had to know how illusions were performed. The illusion itself gave joy enough. And although this film may not expose every aspect of Ricky Jay's life, it provides great joy.I remember seeing Ricky in some of his early TV performances, demonstrating sleight of hand and using playing cards as weapons. Years later, I saw him in some of David Mamet's films (most notably House of Games, that great tale of hustlers and confidence men). In Deceptive Practice, Ricky traces the story of his life, educating us about the culture of magic.By telling us about his relationships with other magicians--many of whom were his mentors--he brings us into their world. These are men who were fascinated by the peculiar, the arcane, the illusory, the ephemeral. Delving into their talents and their dedication to the lifestyle creates a joyous tour. In general, these are brilliant minds possessing unusual dedication to a craft that they elevate to an art form.Ricky's story also feels nostalgic. A look at bygone days. A chronicle of tales that have become mythic in the retelling. It includes a glimpse into the importance of secrets, some poetry, and an interview with an acquaintance that might even elicit tears. I enjoyed it very much.

Ricky Jay is a world-renowned magician, author, historian and actor (often a mischievous presence in the films of David Mamet and Paul Thomas Anderson) -- and a performer who regularly provokes astonishment from even the most jaded audiences.I was not familiar with the magic of Ricky Jay, though his face was known to me. Now I am more than a little impressed, as he seems to have the card tricks down -- especially the close-up sleight of hand that David Blaine brought to the streets. This is especially humorous when Steve Martin is shown losing a $50 bet (though he may have been in on it).This is not a showcase of tricks as much as it is a brief story of Jay's life, which touches on his magician grandfather and those who influenced him. Magicians are a secretive lot, and rarely reveal their tricks... this makes it even more interesting to see their history and who was the mentor for who... there is a distinct line of descent.

I can see the director's problem here. Ricky Jay doesn't have much to say about his family, left home young, got a job bar tending which led to magic act bookings. Please exit at the rear of the theater. Not much to work with there so we get into the figures he grew up with. When he was young he hung out with his grandfather Max Katz (insert biography here, show vaudeville photos.) He introduced Ricky to Cardini (insert biography here, show vaudeville photos.) Then he hung out with these other two sleight of hand greats (insert biography...you get the idea.) I guess in the end we learn that Ricky Jay has an interesting talent but an entirely uninteresting life. The coverage of the other magicians is so overpowering that this can hardly be called a Ricky Jay biography. This may have played better if it were about all of these past talents with Ricky Jay as the host, rather than pretending he were the center of the film.