Penn Jillette (the speaking half of Penn & Teller) gives Vanity Fair a bit of inside commentary looking at magic performed in major TV and motion pictures including The Prestige, The Illusionist, Arrested Development and more — that is actors portraying magic tricks on camera, regardless of whether they’re actually performing the magic or using camera tricks. In addition to contrasting how magic in real life differs from its on-screen portrayal, he gives a look at the philosophical and ethical choices that go into presenting magic.
Legendary magician Penn Jillette reviews some of the most iconic magic tricks in cinema, from the dramatic illusions in The Prestige and The Illusionist to the comedic tricks in Ant-Man and The Wasp and Arrested Development. Learn how realistic some of the most famous cinematic magic really is.