Magicians
2007 Directed by Andrew O'Connor
Synopsis
A pair of rivaling stage magicians are forced to confront their falling out over a guillotine mishap when they compete in a magic competition.
Cast
Popular reviews
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A major disappointment considering how much I love Mitchell and Webb's television work. The story is flat, uninteresting, devoid of laughs, and O'Connor's direction brings no panache to the picture.
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History tells us that popular and successful comedy double acts from British TV never make the transition to the big screen. Just look at Morecambe and Wise and their three films in the 60s, they may have kitsch value now but at the time they were largely deemed as flops. Look too, if you must, at Cannon and Ball and The Boys In Blue. The first film I ever saw at the cinema, trivia fans!
In 2007, riding high from the success of the absolutely brilliant Peep Show, their own sketch show and a major live tour, Mitchell and Webb took to the big screen with Magicians.
With some inevitability it was derided. The main criticism was that, despite having…
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I'm a pretty big Mitchell and Webb fan but this feature length film is not their finest work by a good shot. It's pretty cheap and unambitious. The concept never really takes off or goes anywhere storywise or even satirically, it just kind of sits there happy to be watchable but never really all that funny or engaging. Someone watching this before seeing Peep Show would not likely be inclined to discover the latter. For fans only, if that.
Recent reviews
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Amiable but nowhere near as good as something with Mitchell & Webb in it really should be. The various magic acts especially are nowhere near as silly as they need to be.
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A lot of good people in the cast, should've been much better.
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I was really hoping for a lot more from this.
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Why is everyone hating on psychics, a psychic told me I should try harder in school and guess what, he was fucking right.
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A strange little movie, with a dark, but also weird sense of humor.
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It may not be that great but the familiar and likeable cast make it an enjoyable experience.
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A big fan of Mitchell and Webb. They don't seem to be able to sustain their humor over the course of a feature film.
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Charming and innoffensive. In the same ballpark as the other UK comedy "Confetti" (if a bit more macabre) and with a similar cast.
If you like Mitchell and Webb then this is for you. If not, it's a harmless Sunday afternoon/rainy day movie.
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The cast in this movie is ridiculous.