The Incredible Burt Wonderstone (2013)
Certified: 18
Duration: 100 minutes
Directed by: Don Scardino
Starring: Steve Carell, Steve Buscemi, Olivia Wilde, Alan Arkin, James Gandolfini, Jim Carrey
KRS release
Burt Wonderstone (Steve Carell) and Anton Marvelton (Steve Buscemi) have been long-time friends and both share a love and affinity for magic. They turn this passion into a profession when they are employed to do a magic act at a Las Vegas establishment, managed by Doug Munny (James Gandolfini).
Fans of magic will enjoy the film as it also gives them a chance to take a peek behind all the razzle-dazzle of the shows
Over time, Burt’s ego grows exponentially, with his love for magic fading into the background. This leads to clashes with Anton who is hurt by the way he treats him and their assistant quits the act. Jane (Olivia Wilde), who is a stagehand mad about magic, ends up taking the role.
But this does not solve all their problems: their magic routine has gotten old and Steve Gray (Jim Carrey), a magician with impressive stunts, is hogging the spotlight. Thus the duo tries to up the ante but the stunt they try to pull fails and Burt ends up unemployed and touring such venues as retirement homes.
That is how he meets Rance Holloway (Alan Arkin), the magician who had been Burt’s inspiration in his childhood years. He wants Rance to help him to get back the passion for magic and also win back his friend.
The Incredible Burt Wonderstone has an all-star cast and gives them the chance to be all loony; this is the primary reason the film works.
It is based on all the clichés that make up a magician’s show and all the glamour associated with it.
But it is mostly about the clash between old school and the new style of doing magic. This is elucidated to sometimes hilarious effect – and in other darkly comic moments – in the rivalry between the characters of Steve Carell and Jim Carrey.
The film’s script by John Francis Daly and Jonathan M. Daly who had scripted 2011’s Horrible Bosses has well-rounded characters and the mix of slapstick humour and storytelling mixes well.
The film also delivers its own fair share of outrageous magic tricks – especially those delivered by Carrey’s character. Fans of magic will enjoy the film as it also gives them a chance to take a peek behind all the razzle-dazzle of the shows.
Carrey seems to be having the time of his life as he reminded me of his old style gung-ho comedy style while Carell brings forth an incredible character.
Wilde is left in the shade while veteran Arkin simply weaves magic every time he is on screen. Buscemi is delightful and quite hilarious; it’s surely a different turn from his role in the hit series Boardwalk Empire.
The result is a comedy that plays it light and glitzy, and the confrontations between Carell and Carrey are a delight to watch.