Magic is to be found at the movies. This much has been certain since moving images began to entertain the world. The wedding of pictures with motion seemed surreal and beyond belief. So whenever a movie about magicians presents itself to the mainstream, people should rightly become excited. “The Prestige” and “The Illusionist” let their stories about sleight of hand and deception blueprint the drama of thaumaturgical themes. “The Incredible Burt Wonderstone” has come along to add some comedy into the mix.
Burt Wonderstone (Steve Carrell) and Anton Marvelton (Steve Bscemi) meet as youths and bond over magic tricks as a means of one-upping the jock types who have a habit of raining on their parade. They’ve since been playing their own theater in Las Vegas and Burt’s ego has swollen to the point of absurdity. Steve Gray (Jim Carrey), a shock-jock street magician, comes onto the scene and sends Burt out of business. The rest of the film dedicates itself to exploring his attempted return to glory.
FILM CARRIED BY FANTASTIC CAST
More than anything, the film is carried on the back of an incredible cast. Carrell’s performance starts out a little stunted but soon finds its groove in the realm of hubristic hilarity. He’s the best actor in Hollywood when it comes to being annoying or brash without losing any of his inviting charm. Buscemi’s Marvelton proves yet again the actor can portray a likable oddball as much as his more common array of unnerving crooks. For all his success on “Boardwalk Empire” as of late, it’s good seeing him back in a subjugated buddy role similar to the kind he immortalized in “The Big Lebowski.”
Olivia Wilde’s turn as Burt’s assistant, Jane, proves she can get by playing down-to-earth as much as a bombshell. Alan Arkin isn’t as strong here as a cantankerous-but-wise mentor as he is in “Argo” or “Little Miss Sunshine,” but there’s no doubting his enduring ability to light up a screen whenever he’s on it. James Gandolfini may have made a phenomenal Tony Soprano, but his attempts at comedy in the film are stunted compared to the other actors. Cameos from Brad Garrett and “Community’s” Gillian Jacobs are also welcome additions to the film.
JIM CARREY STEALS THE SHOW
The true show stealer, though, is Carrey. In lesser hands, the role could have easily devolved into a mere parody of Criss Angel or David Blaine. But Carrey takes elements of satire and then elevates them so far into comic madness it ends up being a creation that has its roots in his own psyche more than in real-world street magician counterparts. Like Ace Ventura or Lloyd Christmas from “Dumb and Dumber,” Steve Gray is a character barely human. And it should be that way. It makes it way funnier.
The main problem with “Burt Wonderstone” is its lack of commitment. There are moments where it seems to be heading for heartwarming family comedy and then takes a turn into more raunchy or even morbid humor. The script, penned in part by “Freaks and Geeks” star John Francis Daley, wanders a little too much to be considered a truly great comedy. The direction can get a little too sentimental and cheesy. For all the talent here, it’s sad to know all of them have been in far better movies.
FILM DISAPOINTS
For a movie that’s been in development since 2006, the final product comes out good but disappointing. The laughs are there, guaranteed, but for a project with so much promise, it’s sad they aren’t able to pull off the trick to full effect.
