SYNOPSIS

Based on the true story of illusionist Mark O’Brien. A renowned master of illusion, O’Brien is closing in on achieving his dream of opening a magic attraction in the theme park Mecca of Orlando, Florida when two suspicious fires, five days apart, cripple his production company. Investigators call it arson. Pressure mounts as he rebuilds his company, and he learns that a lieutenant is lying to him concerning the details of the investigation days after he discovers that a similar attraction is now under construction. Determined to find the truth, O’Brien hires two private investigators. They are arrested as they uncover what they believe is a “major cover-up ”.  

Tortured by what he believes involves corrupt or incompetent law enforcement, O’Brien leaves show business and pursues a career as a private investigator to find out the truth and do the right thing. Five years pass, and O’Brien’s new career lands him in Jacksonville, where he meets a woman who persuades him to return to his true passion- show business. Still troubled by the fires and the results of his investigation, O’Brien decides to tell his story in a stage show complete with grand illusions. However, this move to Jacksonville and his brief return to the world of illusion comes with mixed blessings.  

Now in his late forties, O'Brien's choices have forced him into the role of a weekend dad as he begins a new career as a corporate trainer after his wife decides to stay in Orlando with their only son. O’Brien remains undaunted by yet another mid-life crisis, a diagnosis of melanoma, in his quest to get his story out and regain control of his destiny. O’Brien tells this story to his lifelong friend, “Dave”, played by television star Bill Kirchenbauer. Dave, who hasn’t seen his childhood friend for ten years, visits O’Brien on a business trip to catch up and reminisce about old times. Here, he learns of the “David vs. Goliath” story where the line between what is real and what is an illusion is unclear. It is a story about the way things are vs. the way things should be, a story of right vs. wrong, weak vs. strong, and the stark reality of the human condition vs. the aspirations of the individual.  

During his brief visit, Dave must witness O’Brien’s pain as Mark battles his demons and strives to find peace and happiness by determining what is important as he is faced with what has become his reality.