Magicians (2007)

Director:

Andrew O'Connor

Writers:

David Britland (story) &
Andy Nyman (story) ...

Release Date:

18 May 2007 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

Don't ask how they do it, ask why?

Plot:

A pair of rivaling stage magicians are forced to confront their falling out over a guillotine mishap when they compete in a magic competition. |

Plot Keywords:

Magician | Guillotine | Fear Of Flying | Nudity | Surprise After End Credits

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Robert Webb	...	Karl
David Mitchell	...	Harry
Sarah Hadland	...	Carol
Paul Mark Elliott	...	Theatre Manager
Karen Seacombe	...	Female Customer
Phil Nice	...	Male Customer
Jessica Hynes	...	Linda (as Jessica Stevenson)
Darren Boyd	...	Otto
Miranda Hart	...	Bank Manager
Angel Coulby	...	Receptionist
Robin Weaver	...	Caroline
Priyanga Burford	...	Female Colleague
Andrea Riseborough	...	Dani
Geoffrey McGivern	...	Magic Shop Manager
Marek Larwood	...	Colin

Runtime:

90 min | Germany:90 min (European Film Market)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Certification:

Ireland:15A | Germany:12 | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Jersey, Channel Islands

Company:

Breakout Films

Trivia:

The external, and most internal, shots of the theatre on Jersey, where the final of the Magic Shield competition is held, were shot at the Theatre Royal in Nottingham. Many of the theatre's ushers were recruited as extras to play ushers in the film.

Quotes:

Tony White: Question; where is a hunter's favourite place?
Harry: Tony, I don't know. Kenya?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Friday Night with Jonathan Ross: (#11.5)" (2006)

No need to say Courtney Cox with this one

TV comics Mitchell & Webb follow the treacherous path to Movieland on which many a predecessor has come unstuck, from Morecambe and Wise to Cannon & Ball to Smith & Jones to Ant & Dec with, it has to be said, more success than those who have gone before. Of course, that's like saying Police Academy 1 is better than Police Academy 2, but Mitchell & Webb have to be given credit for delivering a reasonably entertaining comedy which nevertheless fails to have any real laugh-out-loud moments.

The duo play a magical act which is abruptly terminated following the accidental death of one's wife during a guillotine trick after the discovery of his showbiz partner's infidelity with his marriage partner. Hard times follow for both magicians so they reluctantly agree to reunite in order to win a £20,000 competition. The story follows a familiar path, relying mostly on the quirkiness of its characters to provide momentum. For the most part it works reasonably well, and it is probably the secondary characters, such as Karl's manager (who harbours a gay crush on his act) and the arrogant rival magician who is undeterred by the crudeness of his chat-up line on the basis that the law of averages says he got to strike lucky sooner or later, who get the best moments.

The running time is fairly short, which is just as well, because things get a little laboured as it approaches its climax and, like the character's response to the final trick, we end up breathing a sigh of relief that everything has turned out reasonably OK in the end.