The Incredible Burt Wonderstone

As Albert Weinselstein celebrates his birthday in 1982, his mother’s thoughtful present—a comprehensive magic trick set from the renowned illusionist Rance Holloway—sets in motion a series of events that would redefine his future. Dedicating himself to mastering the art, young Albert teams up with his classmate Anthony Mertz, and together they transform into the iconic duo known as Burt Wonderstone and Anton Marvelton. Their spectacular performances captivate audiences in Las Vegas, earning them a ten-year headlining spot at the illustrious Bally’s Hotel. However, the indulgent lifestyle and Burt’s swelling ego begin to undermine their partnership, causing a string of female assistants—remarkably all named “Nicole”—to depart in frustration. In a fit of desperation, Burt hastily recruits production assistant Jane, further straining Anton’s resolve.

As their popularity dwindles, they face stiff competition in the form of Steve Gray, a controversial street magician with a bizarre and unsettling card trick showcased on his television program, Brain Rapist. The duo’s decline troubles Bally’s owner Doug Munny, who is increasingly disillusioned with their fading appeal. Seeking a new direction, Anton suggests they embrace the shock value of Gray’s performances by introducing their own daring stunt, the “Hot Box,” where they would be encased in a Plexiglas box suspended high above the Las Vegas Strip. Burt’s overconfidence results in a fateful performance gone awry, leading to Anton’s injury and a heartbreaking split. Jane, disenchanted by the chaos, leaves them as well.

Disaster follows Burt as he attempts to move forward with a solo act, ultimately leading to his bankruptcy after lavish spending. In his despair, he stumbles upon a gig at an assisted-living facility for aging Vegas performers, where fate intervenes when he encounters the now-retired Rance Holloway, who has become skeptical of the magic world. In a moment of bittersweet nostalgia, Burt shows Holloway clips of Gray’s outrageous acts—ranging from walking on hot coals to regurgitating jelly beans—only to discover Jane working with Gray as an aspiring magician herself. Together, Holloway and Burt rekindle their passion for magic, focusing on their craft and the enchantment it once brought them. A heartfelt visit from Jane and her grandmother fosters a moment of reconciliation with Anton.

The grand opening night for Doug’s lavish casino-hotel sets the stage for an unexpected turn of events. In a strategic bid to generate buzz, Doug announces a talent search, with a lucrative five-year contract awaiting the winner. Burt is called upon to perform at a high-profile birthday party for Doug’s son, but when Gray shows up uninvited, tension thickens as he seeks to overshadow Burt with his outlandish antics. Jane’s growing disgust for Gray leads her to leave the celebrations prematurely.

Amidst the chaos, a fortuitous reunion between Burt and Anton reignites their creative spark. Reflecting on their past adventures in Cambodia, where they discovered the bizarre effects of kratom—a plant with potent somnambulistic properties—they craft an innovative new act: the “Disappearing Audience.” As the stakes rise, Gray’s reckless performance at the talent search spirals dangerously out of control, ultimately causing him severe brain damage with an ill-fated stunt involving a drill.

Undeterred, Holloway comes on board to assist as Burt, Anton, and Jane prepare for the unveiling of their new act. Their climactic performance, featuring the “Disappearing Audience” trick, employs kratom-infused sleeping gas to gently sedate audience members, only to miraculously transport them to an outdoor venue in the same seating arrangement they held moments before. The audience awakens, bewildered yet thrilled, prompting Doug to name Burt and Anton as the headlining act. Jane is extended an invitation to join their newly formed trio, marking the dawn of a revitalized partnership.

As the final curtain falls, the trio executes the “Disappearing Audience” trick once again, returning the newly awakened audience to the casino theater. Gray, now recovering from his dramatic self-induced injury, watches in a haze, his skull marked by a drill bit—a harrowing reminder of the consequences tied to reckless ambition. The film concludes on a provocative note, revealing the unsightly methods Burt, Anton, Holloway, and their companions employed to transport the unconscious audience, utilizing a moving van to ferry the slumbering patrons, disregarded in the mad scramble for success.

Last Updated: November 21, 2024 at 10:32