Authors note: despite my thoughts on the performances that occur in the movie I do not condone the actions of the lead of the movie with what has been reported and confirmed by Majors himself.
In 2023 the hottest title out of Sundance that everyone could not help but rave about and was the highest acquisition was Elijah Bynum’s Magazine Dreams, then news broke of the films leading star (and genuine focal point of the movie, so it would be nearly impossible to reshoot and edit this similarly to All the Money in the World), and the movie was inevitably dropped. Two years later the movie finally gets to been seen by a wider audience, and hopefully Elijah Bynum gets the credit he is so deserving of with his second feature in Magazine Dreams as it is simply a tour de force in direction and writing that is being overshadowed by the stars personal life and decisions. While it is also nearly impossible to discuss Magazine Dreams without discussing Jonathan Majors and the performance he gives in the film, it is worth noting that with the current news out there about him and his actions his portrayal in the movie may be something hard to watch and adjusts to.
The film focuses on Killian Maddox (Jonathan Majors) who is a body builder obsessed with becoming the man he idolizes at any cost and winning competitions despite the mental and physical toll it takes on him. Maddox isn’t alone though as he is taking care of his father, whose in significant debt and declining health, William Lattimore (Harrison Page). While Maddox is trying to become a legend who goes down in the history books, he befriends Jessie (Haley Bennett) who tries to understand his world and get to know him better, but Maddox is not interested in anything that distracts him from becoming the body builder he wants to become, even though he is interested in Jessie herself. Truly an inside look at the dangerous mindset of obsession and passion.
While the movie balances obsession and passion, there are bursts of uncontrollable rage and anger it is hard to separate this element if the character of Maddox from its star Majors. However, Bynum manages to craft the story and captivate the unfiltered rage and reactions in such a visceral and raw way that it completely captivates the audience but leaves a complete sense of fear due to the news and ongoing reveals of what Majors committed in real life. Moreover though, Elijah Bynum pulls out a performance from Majors that is unlike anything he’s previously delivered before. While Creed III touched upon the level of caliber he can deliver, Magazine Dreams truly was his tour de force that would’ve launched him into the stratosphere if he were not so alike to his character in the movie itself. Another standout in the movie is Haley Bennett whose severely underwritten but manages to leave an everlasting impression with her performance in the movie despite the limitations of the role and character.
The second feature from Elijah Bynum proves that he is a force to be reckoned with as he can create worlds of complete discomfort and take obsession and passion to freighting levels. His movie, Magazine Dreams is a brilliant scathing look at obsession and passion that gets completely overshadowed by its leading stars personal life and decisions. While the movie lost the momentum it once had and would’ve been a strong Oscar contender. If you can separate the art from the performers, Magazine Dreams is worthy of your time and capacity, but if you cannot Elijah Bynum’s next film whatever it may be deserves your undivided attention as if he can conjure this there is no telling what other brilliance he can get together.
