Imagine an episode of Peep Show, only three times as long and with the two main characters in a different situation, i.e. that they’re not Mark the dullard and Jez the layabout, but Harry the (dullard) magician and Karl the (layabout) magician.
So Harry finds out Karl is sleeping with his wife (who also happens to be their assistant), and lo, Harry accidently kills her with a guillotine. As you do. The pair split, careers spiral, and they don’t speak for four years, when they attempt a reconciliation for the sake of winning a magic competition, but instead end up becoming rivals.
It’s all pretty lightweight, but has some great characters – partly thanks to the substantial cast of british comedians – and the same hilarious Peep Show humour (it’s pretty much the same production team).
Verdict: 4/5
It’s okay, but not a patch on “The Prestige” which is another film about two rival magicians. Both were released at very similar times but the Prestige is a far better film in every respect.
But is The Prestige funny?
But is “Magicians” funny?
Yes.