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The Illusionist [2006]


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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk 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


Real men have enormous moustaches
Review date: 2008-11-16 Rating: 6 out of 10

The Illusionist is the most sumptuous recreation of the Austro-Hungarian empire I have ever seen on film (actually, its the only recreation of the Austro-Hungarian empire I can recall seeing on film) and as such takes place in the twilight age of European empires and hereditary dynasties, where science promised a brave new world, but magic and mystery still seemed possible.

Underneath all the pomp, circumstance and enormous twirling moustaches, however, the Illusionist is a an old fashioned love story. Will the poor but honourable Illusionist, Eisenheim (Edward Norton, an always watch-able actor) win his childhood sweetheart, The Duchess Sophie (Jessica Biel) from the evil bully Crown-Prince (Rufus Sewell)? What do you think? Did Titanic end with the evil rich boy getting the girl?

Although there is lots to enjoy in this movie-gorgeous production values and attention to detail, good casting and some fantastic facial hair-the Crown Prince's twizzle ended tache' in particular deserves its own billing in the credits-it ultimately feels somewhat insubstantial. I found myself not particularly caring about any of the characters or their various destinies. I didn't even particularly care about one of the movies central conundrums-are Einseheims illusions really illusions, or is there real magic at work?

See this movie in the way that you might buy a fake Persian rug-enjoy its plushness and decorative nature, but don't expect it to have any lasting value or show you anything you haven't seen before.


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Reviews


Average film in every regard - a poor mans "Prestege"
Review date: 2008-10-30 Rating: 4 out of 10

When unfairly comparing this to the fantastic "Prestege", this other film of a similar nature (The Illusionist) comes a poor second place. Its not a terrible movie, but its not any good either. Its a very average movie in every way and although being watchable, its not going to be a film that youd consider watching again. This is not a film id recommend on any level whatsoever. As usual Edward Norton is good, despite his poor English accent ... which is strange in itself when he's not playing an Englishman.

If you want to watch an engrossing movie of a similar nature .... then get "The Prestege" and not this film.

More CGI and not enough trompe l'oeil
Review date: 2008-08-17 Rating: 4 out of 10

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 of a paucity of original ideas is a moot point. Directed by Neil Burger (no? Me neither), `The Illusionist' is more than a little silly - taking an interesting subject matter and, compounded by the release of `The Prestige', ensuring that an interesting film on the topic will not be made until Hollywood runs out of ideas again (then again, perhaps soon).

What is particularly perverse about `The Illusionist' is the fact that in order to recreate the smoke and mirrors tricks of the period, the film employs same-old CGI effects to no astonishment. Cinema is, of course, trompe l'oeil, but this film completely fails to rouse the sense of awe and mystery that surrounded these performances, or demostrate any showmanship of its own. CGI is a pet hate of mine that grows year on year. I yearn for an era of cinema that could re-create, for instance, the visceral body horror of `The Thing' with make-up and animatronics, or the tangible cityscapes of `Bladerunner' using only modelwork: films made in the 1980s, possibly the most (unfairly?) maligned decade in cinema, but with considerably more craft than the majority of CGI saturated movies of today. Watching the fourth, forgettable, installment of Indiana Jones was particularly depressing, the last half an hour having been entirely handed over to post-production geeks with no attention span whatsoever; the magic and illusion conspicuous in its absence. What struck me particularly about `The Illusionist' is that whatever ingenious trompe l'oeil used at the turn of century: well-honed slight of hand, lighting, mirrors and trap doors, for instance, have been lost by modern day filmmakers, who prefer to scrawl much less-credible cartoonish imagery on screen instead. Interestingly, in the build-up to his latest Batman project Christopher Nolan railed against the excessive use of CGI: I really must see `The Prestige'.

Edward Norton plays `Eisenheim' the eponyous Illusionist with a dodgy Derren Brown style beard and an even dodgier Germanic accent. In fact, the majority of the cast seem uncomfortable with the accent, resulting in some laugh-out-loud acting performances: Paul Giametti is particularly guilty of hamming it up, one eyebrow perpetually arched as if rehearsing for a pantomine. More hokey than hocus pocus, the film has one of those `Big Twists' (trademark shared by `The Usual Suspects' and `The Sixth Sense', and increasingly difficult to conjure) that is revealed with a magician's ta-da! but is laughably predictable. Without spoiling it for you, it's an easy trap door in a film that depicts conjuring and trickery but has none of its own. Poor.



maybe not a true great but a very good move none the less
Review date: 2008-05-22 Rating: 10 out of 10

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
Review date: 2008-05-15 Rating: 8 out of 10

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.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Jessica Biel
Rufus Sewell
Edward Norton
Paul Giamatti

Creators:
Edward Norton (Primary Contributor)
Paul Giamatti (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: Momentum Picture Home Ent
Manufacturer: Momentum Picture Home Ent
EAN: 5060116722000
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2007-07-09
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Region code: 2
Running time: 104 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2006
Language: English (Original Language)

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