The Illusionist
2006. Directed by Neil Burger. Screenplay by Neil Burger, based on a short story by Steven Millhauser. Starring Edward Norton, Paul Giamatti, Jessica Biel, and Rufus Sewell.
"Eisenheim, I don't want to arrest you. I'm a cynical man, God knows... but if your manifestations are somehow real... then even I'm willing to admit, you're a very special person. And if it's a trick, then it's equally impressive. Either way, you have a gift. So don't make me put you in jail!"
The Illusionist follows a magician in turn-of-the-century Vienna. He develops a strong following from the masses but his desire for a former love makes him enemies with the crown prince. The film is fully engrossing with very good performances all around. Norton makes us believe in both his characters' talents and his pain while Giamatti has his character walk a fine line between corruption and sympathy. The ending is satisfying, but echoes The Usual Suspects a decent bit.
My grade: B+
"Eisenheim, I don't want to arrest you. I'm a cynical man, God knows... but if your manifestations are somehow real... then even I'm willing to admit, you're a very special person. And if it's a trick, then it's equally impressive. Either way, you have a gift. So don't make me put you in jail!"
The Illusionist follows a magician in turn-of-the-century Vienna. He develops a strong following from the masses but his desire for a former love makes him enemies with the crown prince. The film is fully engrossing with very good performances all around. Norton makes us believe in both his characters' talents and his pain while Giamatti has his character walk a fine line between corruption and sympathy. The ending is satisfying, but echoes The Usual Suspects a decent bit.
My grade: B+
posted by Keith Allison at 10:30 PM
2 Comments:
Attn: Spoilers!!
I thought the Giamatti Inspector character was excellently drawn and acted. Of the rest of the movie I have a much lower opinion.
The illusions were far beyond the technology of the time, the Crown Prince was made unnecessarily evil (a classic Hollywood weakness) and I thought the "enlightenment" of the inspector at the end was absurd--to so carefully build the perfect grift and then show it to the chief inspector, to risk it all for no reason? Come on!
Good points, and thanks for posting. I didn't think it was amazing but still quite good despite the shortfalls you pointed out.
I agree the illusions were way too advanced for the time. As for the enlightment at the end: I'm trying to remember what exactly was given to the Inspector. The only thing I can remember is the directions to the tree trick. What we see at the end is the Inspector putting it together in his head. Whether or not he got it right, is open for interpretation.
Regardless, we are in agreement that Giamatti's character is the highlight of the movie.
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