The Illusionist

January 16, 2007

Rated: PG-13 Runtime: 109 min Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

The Illusionist is a love story, and I’m still giving it 4 stars. Let me explain…

The Illusionist Edward Norton plays Eisenheim, an accomplished magician in Vienna at the turn of the century. He learned his craft traveling “to the ends of the earth”, putting in some Eastern philosophy and other ideas into his act. Legend has it that he was first introduced to magic by a traveling magician when he was but a wee lad and soon learned he had a knack for figuring out ways to make people see what he wanted them to see. As he grew into a teenager he became friends, and a little more, with a girl far above his social standing. This is a forbidden love affair and forces eventually rip them apart and is what sendsEisenheim on his travels.

After 10 or so years have past, Eisenheim returns to Vienna and puts on one hell of a show. It gets such rave reviews that the Crown Prince decides to go see what all the commotion is about and brings along his bride to be… Sophie, the girl fromEisenheim’s past. During the show when Eisenheim asks for a volunteer from the audience “who isn’t afraid of death”, the Prince volunteers Sophie. Eisenheim recognizes Sophie immediately but she’s still in the dark about his identity, but not for long. Once they’ve established who they are and we get a little more drama added by learning that the Prince tends to be abusive towards women, we have the perfect setup for a getaway.

Enter Chief Inspector Uhl (the always excellent Paul Giamatti) who keeps an eye on Sophie for the Prince, and who also has a bit of a taste for magic. Eisenheim puts together a plan to sneak Sophie out of Vienna so that they may run off together and live happily ever after, but Uhl figures it out and tells the Prince. Of course, the Prince isn’t pleased to learn of the deception and things take a sour note.

Past this point comes a brilliantly formed plan by Eisenheim to show his displeasure with the Prince, and the process gets Uhl wrapped up in it far more then he would have liked. I can’t really speak of the story much more or I’ll risk giving too much away, but it’s all verysatisfying to watch unfold.

Yes, this is a love story, a classic tale of forbidden love where the lovers struggle to find a way to be together and damned be the consequences. Normally even a really good story like this would only get a 3 from me, but the acting and storytelling is so well done I think it deserves an extra star. Edward Norton is a first rate actor and PaulGiamatti continues to impress me with his skills. At this point I’d see anything either of these two starred in just to see them work their craft.

I highly recommend this movie on date night, you will most certainly get lucky. And if you don’t have anyone to get lucky with, give this one a shot anyway and enjoy some fine storytelling.

Posted by John | Filed Under 4 Stars, DVD, Drama, Eddie Marsan, Edward Norton, Jessica Biel, PG-13, Paul Giamatti, Rufus Sewell