Magicians (15)
FROM the creators and stars of the television show Peep Show, comes a British comedy set in the weird and wonderful world of stage magic. The shy and technical minded Harry (David Mitchell) and ambitious showman Karl (Robert Webb) have been best friends s
FROM the creators and stars of the television show Peep Show, comes a British comedy set in the weird and wonderful world of stage magic.
The shy and technical minded Harry (David Mitchell) and ambitious showman Karl (Robert Webb) have been best friends since childhood, and a magic double act since their teens.
As adults, and professional magicians, they have become the country's greatest magic act. That is, until Harry discovers Karl with his wife and a guillotine trick goes horribly and spectacularly wrong - leaving their friendship in tatters and their careers down the pan.
Four years on, Harry has just been sacked from his supermarket job and Karl is masquerading as a part-time mind reader.
With a downturn in their careers the pair are both in a desperate need for cash.
And with The Magic Table Shield prize money up for grabs, Harry steps out of retirement and reluctantly approaches his ex-partner.
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But reminders of the past haunt their every step, and with neither willing to strike a compromise they have no choice but to go it alone.
What follows is a number of misdemeanours and disastrous auditions, as they prepare for battle using their own unique ways.
On their journey to the final they experience magical and romantic mishaps, but most importantly rediscover their passion for the world of magic.
Already conquering the realms of radio and television, and not forgetting a series of mildly amusing adverts, Mitchell and Webb certainly like to keep busy. But can they cut it as fully fledged movie stars and take over Hollywood? Well . . .
Playing much the same characters as they always do, Mitchell and Webb are always going to be funny. But it's a dynamic that is probably best kept for the small screen, as their comic capabilities are given too much of a challenge in leading a 90 minute film.
However, Magicians is still worth seeing. The Peep Show favourites do what they do best, and the film boasts an impressive cast, with Peter Capaldi, David Boyd and, in particular, Jessica Stevenson all on fine form.
