The Incredible Burt Wonderstone

What makes your feel exhilarated when you see a magic trick? Is it the surprising aspect of something that you did not expect? Or is it the actual showmanship that the magician gets to the table? Or is it just the awe of seeing something that is so difficult to believe that you start believing that anything is possible?

Rance Holloway (Alan Arkin) believes it is the latter of the three reasons that I have stated above.  And I would tend to agree with him.  In a little child’s mind, that is brimming with questions and possibilities, the chance that something magical can change his/her life stands for much more than sleight of hand.

 

Burt Wonderstone (Steve Carell) and Anton Marvelton (Steve Buscemi) have been friends for life.  For nearly thirty years they have both been part of an eponymous show that has been nothing short of a sensation in Las Vegas.  They took up the slot that was vacated all of a sudden by the great Rance Holloway.

 

But all is not well between Burt and Anton and things come to a head when they are performing the Hot Box.  A big chunk of their failure can be attributed to Burt whose head has been so far up his own backside that he has lost touch with reality.  The show obviously collapses and Burt realizes that he has lost much more than just money.

 

And to make matters worse, the magic world is being threatened by the reality showman (an obvious dig at the likes of David Blaine).  In this case that position is occupied by the despicable Steve Gray (Jim Carrey) who makes no bones of his intent to take the position vacated by our two heroes.

 

When you have three brilliant actors like Steve Carell, Steve Buscemi and Jim Carrey in the same frame, the director has very little to do.  And Don Scardino finds himself in just that unenviable position.  Not that he has to much to talk about when it comes to full length features.

 

This one is definitely the CBC Show (too bad if you aren’t aware of what that abbreviation stands for).  The three leave very little space for the rest of the cast to be seen or heard.  Only the likes of James Gandolfini is able to hold his own.  Overall, a feel good story that’s kept simple and straightforward.  Good watch.  6 on 10.  But seriously Mr.Carell - whats with the tan????

 

Watch the trailer on http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1172875033/?ref_=tt_ov_vi