Marvelous and the Black Hole (2022)

Marvelous and the Black Hole was screened on the second day of the Fort Myers Beach International Film Festival. It is an interesting movie about grieving. It explores the mind and the heart of a teenage girl, the consequences and the conflicts created by trauma, what it's like to face a sudden tragedy. The movie has a weird style that makes it unique and keeps the story light.

The sweet and formulaic “Marvelous and the Black Hole” is an easily approachable and accessible indie movie. The story of an ornery teenage delinquent (Miya Cech) who befriends a surly, eccentric magician (Rhea Perlman) is a cute coming of age tale about finding joy in unexpected places. It’s an odd couple pairing that fits well with the equally offbeat themes. Sammy (Cech) can’t deal with her dad’s new girlfriend. She acts out in school, has a penchant for vandalism, and is constantly irate at just about everything and everybody. Concerned about her path, her dad enrolls her in a business course at the local community college. While on campus, Sammy meets Margot (Perlman), who forces the 13-year-old girl to be her assistant for the day. The two forge an unlikely friendship, with Margot dishing out plenty of words of wisdom along with the keys to performing the best magic tricks. The film is whimsical, playful, and straightforward. Writer / director Kate Tsang tells Sammy’s story with a delicate touch, addressing the teen’s depression and and pain with honesty, and the mentorship between the characters feels very organic. “Marvelous and the Black Hole” is a kindhearted tale of acceptance and friendship, and it’s a reminder that life’s to short to waste a lot of time being angry. By: Louisa Moore