Marvelous and the Black Hole lives up to its name

polygon.com:

From a distance, Marvelous and the Black Hole looks like another coming-of-age movie about an angsty teenager meeting a wise mentor. But trade in the usual smart-mouthed teacher or sports coach for a magician played by Rhea Perlman, and you get a bit more flavor. Take that angsty teenager and make her equal parts prickly and endearing, with a splash of cultural specificity, and that’s already something zestier.

Combine all that and more, and the movie Marvelous and the Black Hole has enough whimsy and quirkiness to transcend its well-trod territory. The feature directorial debut of Steven Universe: Future and Adventure Time: Distant Landswriter Kate Tsang is equal parts edgy, whimsical, charming, and gritty, which adds up to a unique experience of its own.

[Ed. Note: This review contains mild setup spoilers for Marvelous and the Black Hole.]

Surly 13-year-old Sammy (Miya Cech) is forced to take a summer class at the local community college after her latest act of deviancy lands her in the principal’s office near the end of the school year. Under her prickly personality, Sammy is grappling with the her mother’s death and her father’s new relationship. While avoiding class, Sammy runs into eccentric stage magician Margo (Rhea Perlman). The two begin an unlikely friendship after Margo takes Sammy under her wing and starts to teach her stage magic.

The most dynamic part of Marvelous and the Black Hole is that central relationship. It does take Cech a bit of time to find her footing in the movie, especially when she’s on her own in the early scenes. But once she and Perlman connect, they make an unforgettable pair. Sammy needs someone to call her out on her bullshit, but at the same time, she needs someone who won’t give