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Movie Review by:
Jim "Good Old JR" Rutkowski
Directed & Written by: Neil Burger
Starring: Edward Norton, Paul Giamatti, Jessica Biel
Running time: 109 minutes,
Released: 08/18/06.
Rated PG-13 for some sexuality and
violence |
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 "Magic
and movies don’t often mix well, however writer/director
Neil Burger and his stellar cast deftly pull off some
impressive parlor tricks in The Illusionist. A crisp,
intelligent, dynamic confection, The Illusionist is the
right blend of romance and mystery, and a true piece of
movie magic. Based on the short story Eisenheim the
Illusionist by Steven Millhauser, The Illusionist starring
Edward Norton, Jessica Biel and Paul Giamatti is one of just
a handful of real must-see films of 2006.
Set in the turn of the 20th century, Eisenheim - a poor
young boy who loves magic - falls in love with Sophie, a
beautiful girl from a class far above his own. Pulled apart
by her parents, it’s not until years later when the magician
has become a renowned illusionist that the two come face to
face again.
Astonishing audiences in Vienna and playing to sell-out
crowds, Eisenheim’s reputation brings him to the attention
of Crown Prince Leopold, a dastardly type who is jealous of
anyone else’s fame. Leopold attends a performance of
Eisenheim’s and when the illusionist requests an assistant
from the audience for a particularly difficult trick, the
Crown Prince volunteers his fiancée Sophie. Once on stage,
Eisenheim and Sophie immediately recognize one another from
their childhood days. It’s immediately obvious the
connection they shared as children hasn’t faded.
Eisenheim’s very presence seems to offend the Crown Prince
and not one to be trifled with, the power-crazed Count sics
his lapdog, Chief Inspector Uhl, on the magician in an
effort to destroy Eisenheim’s career and reputation.
Charging the illusionist with making threats against the
empire, Leopold does everything in his considerable power to
ruin Eisenheim and keep his own prized possession – Sophie –
from finding happiness with her first love.
The Illusionist is an intense battle of wills between the
despicable Prince Leopold and the cunning Eisenheim, with
officer Uhl - an amateur magician himself and someone
fascinated with Eisenheim’s work - stuck in the middle. Is
Eisenheim calling on supernatural powers when he makes
butterflies appear out of thin air, plants grow to full
height in the space of mere minutes, or performs other
extraordinary tricks onstage, or is it all smoke and
mirrors? Uhl seeks answers to the source of Eisenheim’s
powers while delicately balancing his admiration for the
magician with his duty to the Crown Prince.
Edward Norton turns in another intense performance as a
master illusionist unwillingly caught up in the world of
politics and murder. Norton infuses the role of Eisenheim
with a calm reserve for the most part, yet is able to
unleash a playfulness when it’s called for – specifically in
the scenes when he’s showing off his magical talents on
stage, and in later scenes with Jessica Biel as the adult
Sophie. Norton’s so convincing as a stage magician that even
while we know we’re being tricked, we don’t mind at all the
fact he’s manipulating us.
Paul Giamatti as Chief Inspector Uhl and Rufus Sewell as the
villainous Crown Prince are both excellent in their
supporting roles. But truly the surprising performance in
the film comes from Jessica Biel as Sophie. Known for her
roles in 7th Heaven and action movies (Blade: Trinity,
Stealth), this is Biel’s first shot at playing a character
of this ilk and she absolutely nails it. Biel’s character
Sophie needs to come across as a strong, intelligent woman
and that’s exactly how Biel plays her.
An intriguing fairy tale for adults, The Illusionist is a
rare treat. Visually stunning, the use of muted colors
(mostly browns) gives The Illusionist the aura of a silent
film, effectively capturing the time period of the story.
The cinematography, costumes, and overall tone of the film
help modern audiences forget it’s 2006. The film does an
amazing job of transporting its viewers back in time to 1900
Vienna. The fact it’s not important how the actual magic
shown on the screen is accomplished speaks volumes to the
superb character development in the movie and the engrossing
story which unfolds onscreen.
The Illusionist is not your typical period drama, a
breath-taking breakthrough into the suspense-mystery genre
that owes as much to Arthur Conan Doyle as it does to M.
Night Shyamalan, molding the two of them into an engaging
spectacle that's as marvelous as it is unique. |
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THE
ILLUSIONIST © 2006 Yari Film Group
All Rights Reserved
Review © 2006 Alternate Reality, Inc. |
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