Movie ReviewThe Illusionist (2006)
Directed by Neil Burger
Watching The Illusionist, I could not help but wish that magic was real. Or at the very least brought back to the prominence it had so long ago. Lately, I find myself actually becoming quite fond of magical tales, whether it be the Harry Potter series or the novel I'm currently enjoying, Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrel by Susanna Clarke. I think what attracts me to it the most is how respectable the profession of a wizard/magician comes across, as it is a profession for not only the courageous, but the disciplined, dedicated and intelligent.
Fortunately, the cast, as a whole, was quite competent and fit to the task of telling this dark tale. Yes yes, Jessica Biel's performance was somewhat lacking, but, in my opinion, casts are not like chains. Casts are not only as strong as their weakest castmember. Edward Norton did a more than satisfactory job portraying Eisenheim the Illusionist, Paul Giamatti ably played the part of Chief Inspector Uhl, and Rufus Sewell succeeded in getting me to dislike him as Prince Leopold. Biel's character, Countess Sophie, was, of course, attractive, yet she stole no scenes nor made no lasting impression upon me whatsoever. Her romance with Eisenheim: passionless.
The Illusionist is, above all, a love story. Childhood sweethearts, Eisenheim and Sophie were forbidden to see each other once their meetings were discovered, after which Eisenheim decided to travel the world in search of mysteries and, unsuccessfully, forget about his love. Many years later, Norton's character returns to Vienna where he begins to perform as an "illusionist," and becomes an instant sensation. Soon after his return, he once again meets Sophie, who was only a short while away from being married off to the dastardly Prince Leopold, the heir apparent to the imperial throne of the Hapsburg Empire. What happens next? Find out yourself. A very enjoyable, beautifully made movie, although the ending was somewhat of a stretch. Recommended. B+
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