Review by Dustin Stinett
On March 14, 2007 an episode of the Enigma (VisionTV Network, Canada) featured this documentary on Max Maven which was produced, written, directed and narrated by Donna Zuckerbrot. If that last name sounds familiar, it’s because her husband-and co-executive producer on this project-Daniel Zuckerbrot produced the documentary film, Dai Vernon: The Spirit of Magic.
This fine example of documentary filmmaking was shot during the 31 Faces North Conference in August of 2006 at which max Maven was a guest of honor. While in Toronto for the conference, he also had an engagement of his current show. Max Maven Thinking in Person: An Evening of Knowing and Not Knowing. Several clips taken directly from these shows are featured in the film and give the viewer quite a preview – perhaps more than it should – of what’s in store for them if given the opportunity to see the show in person.
Another element of the film centers on an interview of Mr. Maven conducted by famed Canadian journalist Patrick Watson during 31 Faces North. His questions, asked in front of an audience of well-regarded magicians, often let to compelling-and even surprising-answers.
Of course Mrs. Zuckerbrot also interviews Mr. Maven throughout the film and, when getting to his apparent abilities, she does so as any layperson would. She is, after all, exploring the “long tradition” of “those who apparently exhibit extraordinary powers.” And Mr. Maven, who obviously knew that he was being filmed for a project meant for a lay audience, is remarkably frank in his answers. The astute would-be performer of mysteries would do well to pay close attention to them.
Throughout the film are comments from friends and colleagues of Mr. Maven, including Eugene Burger, Stephen Minch, and Michael Weber. At one point, Mr. Weber does a fabulous job of selling the effect of a piece performed by Maven during his show. I say this because, as someone who has done this “standard trick” in the past-and has seen many others do it in a similar or even worse manner-it wasn’t until seeing Mr. Maven perform it and Mr. Weber sell it to the lay audience that I got it.
Besides the performance aspects of the film, there is also a very good look into Max Maven the person. In fact, I believe that this film is a fantastic companion piece to the feature article of Mr. Maven by Jim Steinmeyer that appeared here in November, 2007. Again, Mr. Maven is remarkably frank when talking about his youth and the life-journey that he has been on – so far.
This is a fantastic film that I cannot recommend highly enough. It’s not often that I pay for DVDs, but I paid for this one and I’m very glad that I did. You will be too.
