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The Plot: The Great Magician takes place after the Revolution that overthrew the Qing dynasty and finds China entering into some very turbulent times. Various areas are being controlled by warlords, and the local revolutionaries are busy trying to concoct schemes in order to fight the warlords who hold far more firepower. Our story focuses on a military leader named Lei Bully (Lau Ching-wan) who is trying his best to win the heart of a formerly imprisoned woman named Liu Yin (Zhou Xun). Although Lei wants to win her affection, she refuses to give it unless Lei Bully can find the woman’s father. Enter Chang Hsien (Tony Leung Chiu-Wai), a talented magician who may or may not have ties to the local revolutionary groups. As he begins to show off his spectacular magic tricks, he quickly grabs the attention of Lei Bully and the two men bond. However, it seems that Liu Yin has a history with Chang Hsien. The two were formerly lovers, and at the same time that Bully is attempting to win Liu Yin’s heart, he also holds Chang Hsien’s former mentor in prison. With so much riding on the line, Chang Hsien holds his cards close to his chest and the audience must take this ride alongside him and see just what this magician has planned. |