Ordinary Magic is a Canadian drama film, directed by Giles Walker and released in 1993.^[1] The film stars Ryan Reynolds, in his film debut, as a young boy who was raised in India by his father, who experiences culture shock when he must return to Canada following his father's death.^[2]

The story is based on the novel Ganesh by Malcolm Bosse,^[3] with Canada substituting in the film for the book's Midwestern USA location.

Plot

Jeffrey/Ganesh (Ryan Reynolds) has been raised with the ideals of social activism as part of his everyday life. His father spends the better part of their lives fighting for social justice in India. After his father dies, fifteen-year-old Jeffrey is sent to live with his aunt Charlotte (Glenne Headly) in the small town of Paris, Ontario. Through several comedic situations and with considerable effort, he manages to make friends and fit into his new, much smaller world of his. However, when his aunt receives an unfair eviction notice from her sleazy landlord (Paul Anka), every bit of his background and training comes into play, as he works with her to put on a well-publicized hunger strike, or Satyagraha, which wins the admiration of the local citizens.

Cast

Awards

Jefferson Lewis received a Genie Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay at the 15th Genie Awards in 1994.^[4]