"Mr. Hypnotism" goes soft on con man
Playing before “The Invention of Dr. Nakamats” is “Mr. Hypnotism,” a short film about con man and hypnotist Dr. Dante.
Directed by Bradley Beesley, “Mr. Hypnotism” documents the rise and fall (but mostly the fall) of Ronald Dante, a lifelong con man who landed in prison on more than one occasion. Dante’s atrocities have ruined the lives of thousands, and though the victims of Dante are never shown, Dante is portrayed as a victim himself.
The 15-minute film pokes fun at Dante’s fall from celebrity status with pathetic anecdotes from his elderly life. But “Mr. Hypnotism” lets Dante off the hook like he has been his entire life. Although Dante was sentenced to 20 years in prison for attempted murder, he only serves three. “Mr. Hypnotism” never offers the viewpoints of the people harmed by the crimes of Dante, leaving the audience with a one-sided view of the man.
When the film concludes, we are left with a sad man living a sad life and nothing more. “Mr. Hypnotism” is a story of a man who tricked the world and got away with it. Don’t let him trick you.
