The Blues Brothers, apart from being a masterpiece, is a work of Magical Realism.

It combines gritty urban cinematography, with an unreal sense of wonder.

The opening scenes work to make this an utterly real setting. The meticulous locking and unlocking of prison gates. The tedious bureaucracy of being released. Everything is gritty and real, nothing is fantasy. Then we catch a glimpse of the fantasy world.

Jake, leaving prison, is silhouetted by a heavenly glow.

And soon we’re back in grim reality, the brothers cool, never sentimental, catching up, bickering over trivialities.

But the moment they jump that bridge, we know the rules have been widened.

The way The Penguin (not an actual penguin) floats backward... that's magic.

External sources

• The Blues Brothers as Magic Realism (archived from the original) (originally at awritingguide.com/2015/01/24/the-blues-brothers-as-magic-realism/ … which seems to have malware now.)