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The Illusionist [2006]
from Momentum Picture Home Ent
starring Edward Norton, Paul Giamatti, Jessica Biel, Rufus Sewell
directed by Neil Burger

Features:

• PAL

Editorial Review:

The Illusionist offers welcome proof that "arthouse" quality needn't be limited to the arthouses. Set in turn-of-the-century Vienna, this stately, elegant period film benefited from a crossover release in mainstream cinemas, and showed considerable box-office staying power--granted, teenage mallrats and lusty males may have been drawn to the allure of Seventh Heaven alumna Jessica Biel, who rises to the occasion with a fine performance. But there's equal appeal in the casting of Edward Norton and Paul Giamatti, who bring their formidable talents to bear on the intriguing tale of a celebrated magician named Eisenheim (Norton) whose stage performance offends the Crown Prince Leopold (Rufus Sewell), a vindictive lout who aims to marry Duchess Sophie (Biel), Eisenheim's childhood friend and now, 15 years later, his would-be lover. This romantic rivalry and Eisenheim's increasingly enigmatic craft of illusion are investigated by Chief Inspector Uhl (Giamatti), who's under Leopold's command and is therefore not to be trusted as Eisenheim and Sophie draw closer to their inevitable reunion. Cleverly adapted by director Neil Burger from Steven Millhauser's short story "Eisenheim the Illusionist," and boasting exquisite production values and a fine score by Philip Glass, The Illusionist is the kind of class act that fully deserved its unusually wide and appreciative audience. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

• Avg. Customer Rating: 3.5 / 5.0

• More CGI and not enough trompe l'oeil
  It seems an odd condition of contemporary cinema that two films on such niche subjects could be released almost at the same time. Christopher Nolan's `The Prestige' (which I haven't seen) and `The Illusionist', both about turn of the century stage magicians, were released very close together. This has happened before, with Turman Capote's writing of `In Cold Blood' bizarrly the subject of two films: `Capote' and, slightly later, `Infamous', the latter sinking to obscurity. Whether this is indicative or not... more info

• maybe not a true great but a very good move none the less
  Edward Norton is superb and the plotline fascinating.
  A good movie to rent - not sure that you would watch it twice though.
  So settle in for a treat and prepare to be entertained.

• A Treat
  Ok, it's not brain surgery...but a treat instead.
  Norton in a very different role shines brilliantly, the cinematography is beautiful and the plot really enjoyable.

• Good, not quite great.
  A good story, well acted amd filmed. Just didn't quite get to five stars for me. Norton was good, he just wasn't completely convincing. Nearly there, not quite, but worth a watch definately.

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