Magicians, (Cert. 15, 90 mins) Stars: David Mitchell, Robert Webb Directed by Andrew O'Connor
"WE’VE all taken a wrong turn and ended up somewhere weird," remarks Otto, one of the characters in Mitchell and Webb’s feature debut.
Sadly, the stars of the TV series Peep Show have taken a wrong turn themselves with Magicians.
The film conjures a premise ripe with comic potential, but performs a vanishing act with the laughs.
For 90 minutes, the talented ensemble cast attempt to magic up a chuckle or two, but their efforts largely come to naught. Harry Kane (David Mitchell) and Karl Allen (Robert Webb) were the darlings of the magic circle, until the fateful night their assistant Carol lost her head in a tragic guillotine malfunction.
Fast-forward four years and Harry is clinging onto the past by performing tricks whilst demonstrating The Vegetator Chef’s Knife Set at a hardware store.
Karl is trying to reinvent himself as a mind reader with the help of his agent, Otto. After the latest in a series of knock-backs, Harry tentatively re- establishes contact with Karl to reform for the International Magic Competition.
Mitchell and Webb aren’t comfortable in their roles, while the supporting cast includes a rogue’s gallery of misfits and bigots.
