Love finds the oddest way to connect two people in the movie The Man with the Magic Box, a dystopian Sci-fi drama now on DVD, Digital HD and VOD. The movie has some very good acting, interesting direction and a production team that delivers. You don’t have to be a Sci-fi fan to enjoy this film, but being a romantic helps.
The film opens in Warsaw, Poland at the year 2030 with two people being delivered a verdict of total memory loss for breaking the laws of their totalitarian society. They will be placed back among the people, but have new jobs and ordinary memories to try and live within the rules. The story then flashes back to a few days earlier and we find out who the two are and their walks of life.
Gloria (Olga Boladz) works for a big firm and has achieved a high level within SYCONN as noted by the high floor she works on. She’s very shrewd and kind of a promiscuous sort with a strict sense of choice when it comes to giving her charms to others. One day she spots Adam (Piotr Polak), the new janitor on her floor, and thinks he’s kind of cute. Adam on the other hand is so new to the company, he would never accept advances from one of the higher ups in fear of losing his job. Especially being under the thumb of his boss Bernard a busybody who spies on him daily. But, as fate would have it, the two end up in Gloria’s office one late evening and try out some sexual contact.
But, Adam’s life is complicated living in the worst side of town and there’s been reports of Saboteurs roaming about in his neighborhood, so dating is quite difficult. Besides he’s found this old radio he calls his box, and it seems to be reaching out to him. Director and writer of Man with the Magic Box, Bodo Kox takes off running after the opening scene and works some of his own magic by perpetuating the romance with others scrutinizing the legality and rule breaking of her actions. He then mixes in some off the wall messages from Adam’s old 1950’s radio show. The announcer spews out messages that are mesmerizing and nearly hypnotic. It’s a smart ploy by Kox and one that intrigues.
The acting in the film is very good with captivating performances by both Olga Boladz as the comely and seductive Gloria and Piotr Polak a macho and mysterious Adam. Polak portrays Adam’s innocent side, one he offers as a bit shy at first not to upset his boss or accept Gloria’s bidding. But, there’s another side to him that tells a different story and we find that Adam’s a bit psychologically strained. Boladz is having fun with her character, enticing the shy Adam for sexual bouts and not holding back at all on her desires. She pursues a hot relationship until strange things start to happen.
I enjoyed the film for a refreshed view of a futuristic society much like the classics 1984, Blade Runner and a little Men in Black thrown in for good measure. From the description of the film, I was expecting The Man with the Magic Box being more of a film involving a magician, but not this wonderful weird story that keeps you guessing. More mind bending and creative than I figured, I was truly entertained.
The Man with the Magic Box has not been rated by the MPAA, but contains violence, sex, nudity and language. It plays out in the Polish language with English subtitles so it may be a bit challenging for that reason. But, search for it on VOD and spend an evening with a fellow romantic or at least a Sci-fi nut to keep you company.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A cool dose of the future that we hope never materializes in reality. (3.5 out of 5 Stars)
Specifications and additional video information:
Cast: Olga Boladz, Piotr Polak, Sebastian Stankiewicz, Helaena Norowicz, Wojciech Zielinski, Jakub Kamienske, Bartlomiej Firlet, Bogdan Koca, and Agaty Buzek, Arkadiusza Jakubika,
Director and writer: Bodo Kox
MPAA Rating: No Rated, contains nudity, sex, language and some violence
Genre: Drama, Romance, Sci-fi
Running Time: 1 hr. 43 min.
Video Release Date: April 4, 2019
Original Theatrical Release Date: October 20, 2017 in Poland
Language: Polish with English Subtitles
Reviewed Format: DVD
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1
Video: Widescreen, Aspect Ratio 1.78:1
Subtitles: English
Number of Discs: 1 disc
Distributed by: Artsploitation Films
Released in: DVD, Digital HD, VOD
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
