Exceptional

Rating: 10/10 (14 July 2007)

Exceptional is a word I rarely use, but it applies to this movie.
...Which is odd because I don't like magic shows. However If you're expecting a cheesy gold-spangled idiot pulling llamas out of his hat, you're in for a shock! The performances (with no exceptions) are perfect.
The story is captivating, imaginative and pretty original.
One of the few decent things to come out of Hollywood for a long time and a breath of fresh air.
I got to see this film early and at about the same time as "The Prestige". I thought it an odd coincidence that two films from the same genre appear at almost exactly the same time, but happily - despite their similarities - they are both different enough and good enough to make it irrelevant. So there is no point in my mentioning it. Really.
Words to the wise: If someone irritating insists on talking all the way through the movie about "how its done", visit www.euthanasia.org. You'll be doing everyone a favour!