[PJC in NoVa]

John Malkovich's performance in the title role as an aging B- or C-list "mentalist" is a small masterpiece. As a bonus, the always easy to look at Emily Blunt does a supporting turn as a PR flack reluctantly drafted to help Buck publicize one of his amazing "effects."

AAAC members--including those with an interest in Trad--will want to check out the clothes in this one.

Malkovich plays an old-school entertainer--the character was inspired by The Amazing Kreskin, the film's dedicatee--who remains passionate about his calling, yet now finds himself relegated to half-filled smaller halls in "flyover country," albeit still with enough of a following to have a small entourage, ride in courtesy stretch limos, and own what looks to be a custom-made personal wardrobe, complete with silk suits, ascots, and an SBPL tux (with pocket flaps, unfortunately) for his stage show.

Colin Hanks, continuing his tendency to play bland, naive young men, plays Buck's bland, naive personal assistant and road manager. His real-life dad Tom Hanks plays his disapproving father. In the one scene they have together, the contrasts between Malkovich's and Tom Hanks's clothing tell much of the story of the difference between the flash and glitz of celebrity-hood (even in its lower-down-the-ladder-of-fame form) and the no-nonsense sobriety of real workaday life. An excellent use of costuming in a film that observes its chosen corner of the world very keenly indeed.

Go here and scroll down for more pics (very large file sizes):
https://www.magpictures.com/presskits.aspx

https://www.aceshowbiz.com/still/00000923/the_great_buck_howard07.html#

https://www.aceshowbiz.com/still/00000923/the_great_buck_howard04.html#

https://www.aceshowbiz.com/still/00000923/the_great_buck_howard09.html#

https://www.aceshowbiz.com/still/00000923/the_great_buck_howard12.html#

 

[PJC in NoVa]

Moderately bad prole gap at the collar of John Malkovich's DJ.

Interesting . . . didn't notice that during the film. His character does a fair amount of arm-waving and gesturing during his act, which might cause jacket ride-up and open a gap that remains even when the arms go back down to the sides. OTOH, you could argue that a well-fitting jacket should keep its collar touching the shirt collar no matter what is going on in terms of upper-body movement.

The huge brooch on his lapel is bad too, but that's explained during the movie.