Hugh Jackman (X-MEN) and Christian Bale (BATMAN BEGINS) portray rival magacians in 1890's London, who will go to any lengths--even murder--to have the greatest magic trick. Jackman blames Bale for the death of his wife (Piper Perabo of THE CAVE, BULLWINKLE), who drowned in a tank when she was unable to untie the knot that bound her. So during one of Bale's performances he disguises himself and shoots off two of his fingers during a magic "mishap". This antagonism goes back and forth until it escalates to a final, surprising showdown where nothing is as it seems. It also answers the question "is there real magic?"
Although I was able to figure out one of the character's secrets from the beginning of the film, the other twists were surprising and pleasantly unexpected. Recommended.