X
- 2021
- TV-MA
- 1 h 30 m
- 2021
- TV-MA
- 1 h 30 m
Summary Storyteller and Conceptual Magician Derek DelGaudio attempts to understand the illusory nature of identity and answer the deceptively simple question 'Who am I?'
Directed By: Frank Oz
Written By: Derek DelGaudio
- 2021
- TV-MA
- 1 h 30 m
- 2021
- TV-MA
- 1 h 30 m
Derek DelGaudio’s In & Of Itself
82
8.0
Where to Watch
Summary Storyteller and Conceptual Magician Derek DelGaudio attempts to understand the illusory nature of identity and answer the deceptively simple question 'Who am I?'
Directed By: Frank Oz
Written By: Derek DelGaudio
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 8 Critic Reviews
82
100% Positive
8 Reviews
8 Reviews
0% Mixed
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 8 Critic Reviews
82
100% Positive
8 Reviews
8 Reviews
0% Mixed
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Derek DelGaudio's In and Of Itself is a beautiful, powerful performance that employs art, illusion, storytelling, and its own audience to explore aspects of identity, isolation, and our own desperate drive to figure out who we are as individuals. There's nothing quite like it, which, as goes the uniqueness of humanity, is the point.
In bringing In & Of Itself to the screen, director Frank Oz (yes, the former Muppet master and filmmaker, who directed the theatrical version as well) has heightened the impact of DelGaudio's material by rapidly inter-cutting exchanges with audience members across a number of shows.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 16 User Ratings
8.0
81% Positive
13 Ratings
13 Ratings
6% Mixed
1 Rating
1 Rating
13% Negative
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 16 User Ratings
8.0
81% Positive
13 Ratings
13 Ratings
6% Mixed
1 Rating
1 Rating
13% Negative
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
One man show, tone poem of self identity, from a world class magician who doesn’t let the magic get in the way of the story.
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So anyone that may have posted a negative rating, I understand. This is the point of this piece of art. We as humans are known to find the flaws in others, ignore the one's in ourselves, and of course fight the differences we all have. Naturally, a card trick or illusion can be broken down and eventually explained. A plot in a movie can be filled with holes and you know the end before the film is over. So I guess for me, the true joy of this performance, is the unknown. The absolute pleasure of the continual question "Who Am I?" I would encourage anyone of you that have posted a negative rating to In & Of Itself, to watch it once again, not with your eyes, but with your heart and soul. This isn't about a sappy magician telling stories about what WE don't understand about HIS life, it's about taking the time to keep questioning your own life. Reflection, sadness, fear, loneliness, happiness, and the eminent death. So take time to be the dog, instead if the wolf. Don't pass such harsh judgment, unless the mirror you look in causes you to do so. Open up, learn, and heal.
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In & Of Itself reframes familiar tropes like card tricks, vanishing objects and stupendous feats of mentalism to new ends. It is not often that a magic show makes you ponder not just the how, but the why.
Not all the tricks translate, nor do they need to, since DelGaudio has shrewdly constructed the experience around the theme of identity, revealing deeply personal elements of his own history in such a way as to prime audiences to look inward as well. The result is a kind of epiphany that leaves them with a feeling of discovery rather than deception.
It’s the kind of alchemy achieved when an artist has his or her vision brought to a larger audience by someone who understands exactly what they’re doing. It’s a testament to the power of the material and the determination of its interpreters to not dilute it one ounce.
As much a confessional one-man play as a showcase for tricks, it's a magic show in the way a Hannah Gadsby monologue is stand-up comedy: a work capable of winning over those who normally don't pay much attention to the genre, and certain to leave some in the audience much more moved than they're prepared for.
Sadly, DelGaudio’s showmanship doesn’t always translate to its new medium — now you feel it, now you don’t. But DelGaudio’s oddly yearning text still has power on TV. He hides thorns among the card tricks, prickly questions about identity that don’t disappear with the next shuffle.
Amazing! This is a must see, it’s only 1.5 hours out of
your day and you won’t regret it! He is beyond talented and real….
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It’s difficult to describe the show without spoiling what makes it special or categorizing it in a way that is too restrictive and really, that’s kind of the point of the show itself. It’s just something that needs to be experienced with an open mind and as a little knowledge of what you’re about to see as possible.
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If you like tears with your magic, then buddy I got the show for you!
Nah, but it is fascinating, and I’m glad I stumbled upon it and went ahead and watched on an impulse. Had no idea who Derek DelGaudio was, nor knew anything about this doc/movie/show, but I’ll be going down the rabbit hole to find more of his work (He’s got a book coming out in March that it seems I’ll be reading now). FYI this is more show/performance, rather than doc/movie. So, if you’re prepared to watch something unique and interesting, this is most definitely worth the hour an a half.
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This dude is SO boring to watch. What’s the trick? What am I watching? Was THAT the trick, oh wait, he’s still flipping cards... I think the trick is that I’m still watching this boring guy. Like watching an NPR host do magic tricks and telling pointless stories. Here’s a good idea, have a point. It makes it so much more interesting for the listener!
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I went into my viewing interested and intrigued. I had heard many describe their experience as transformative and talked about how they or their friends cried for hours and thought about this show for days, weeks, and months after viewing. My intrigue lasted up until just after the end of the first story when it became apparent that this was all an emotional manipulation put on by the magician. In "In & of Itself" Derek Delgaudio manipulates the audience as he would a deck of cards. The emotions he tries to convey feel forced on me like a card he wants me to pull in his trick. The stories are pointless pseudo profound vehicles for a few bits of slight of hand and mentalism, which are few and far between. After watching then seeing the overwhelmingly positive reviews online I feel like I am living out "The Emperor's New Clothes". This is nothing more than a frowning magician making you believe you heard and saw something amazing. It's the same recipe magicians have been cooking up for hundreds of years, Derek just threw in some other ingredients that taste awful to me.
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Production Company
Hulu Originals,
SinForma,
Walter Pictures
Release Date Jan 22, 2021
Duration 1 h 30 m
Rating TV-MA
Genres
Tagline Identity is an Illusion
Awards
SXSW Film Festival
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
Montclair Film Festival (MFF)
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
Philadelphia Film Festival
• 1 Nomination
