Any teenager who has developed a passion for something he or she sees as a life's work has an advantage over their peers who have nothing comparable to give them direction on their journey toward individuality and careers. This documentary celebrates a group of teenagers who have that advantage. They are each determined to become masters of illusion. J. Clay Tweel's debut documentary follows this unique coming-of-age story by focusing on five such wannabes as they train for an upcoming teenage magician competition. The stakes are high -- only the title, "Teen World Champion," name recognition and performance gigs in the field of their choice!
Our cast of characters are a somewhat international bunch: Siphiwe Fangase and Nkumbozo Nkonyana are a duo from South Africa whose act combines magic with comedic drama; Hiroki Hara is an intense Japanese youngster whose slight-of-hand with a deck of cards might just give the pros a run for their money. The others are from different parts of the U.S., among them Bill Koch, who sees his unusual work with CDs and homemade cellphone props as a "last stand" attempt to take the brass ring as he approaches his twenties.
But perhaps the biggest potential star among them is Krystyn Lambert, the sexy goddess of this cast who is already a member of the Magic Castle in Hollywood, junior division. High School president, Tuba player in the jazz band, co-founder of the debate club, volunteer librarian, Lambert is the definition of over-achiever. She's also worried that her looks may prevent her magic skills from being taken seriously. Oh, the problems of a brainy babe. Her looks are wisely recognized by senior magician Diana Zimmerman as the most promising commercial prospect of the contest lot, win or lose. Zimmerman gushes as she strokes Lambert's blond tresses, "You could be a real star! The Britney Spears of Magic!" Me? I wouldn't bet against it.
In a first act construction, Creel introduces his contestants in their parental surroundings by intercutting back and forth across time lines and geographic boundaries, giving the viewer an idea of the personalities and their unique styles of magic. But care is taken to withhold the actual acts until later, when they arrive at the Las Vegas venue where the annual event is staged. There, he shows us his band of teenagers preparing, handling nerves, self confidence and anticipation in their own ways as they meet each other and deal with the juggling act of friendliness and peer competition.
The meat of the story is the competition where we finally see the acts, and the creative level of the presentations. It isn't until this part of the film that we begin to get a handle on just how good our select group is and which of them might pull off a win. One of the most revealing parts of the entire film is the reaction of three young magicians watching the show from the sidelines and commenting on the degrees of difficulty and originality of their peers' performances. Their "inside" instant analysis is worth more than any of the generalized commentary by Lance Burton, the famous guest who represents all that the contestants aspire to become.
The journey into make believe is anything but that to the six ambitious individuals with whom we share this journey. We come to appreciate that they are worth setting apart because of the level of discipline required for recognition in any form of personal expression. They may not be upcoming actors, dancers, or musicians. They may not possess an equal amount of talent on a magician's stage. But their commitment to their goal is no illusion.
