Movie Review 1
The Illusionist
Movie Review of The Illusionist
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Reviewed by REEHA HAFEEZ
http://www.cinemablend.com/reviews/The-Illusionist-1719.html
The Illusionist is directed by Neil Burger
and boasts of A-list cast (Edward Norton,
Paul Giamatti, Jessica Biel).Where magic
is involved, things are rarely what they
seem to be. The movie masters the art of
blending a period piece setting with
supernatural mystique.
The movie is a crisp, intelligent, dynamic
confection. It 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 is 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.
Movie Review 2
The Illusionist
Astonishing audiences in Vienna and playing to sell-out crowds, Eisenheim’s reputation brings
him to the attention of Crown Prince Leopold, a cowardly 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.
Once their eyes lock, their childhood flame is rekindled and initially kept under wraps. But the
movie makes it clear time after time that the Crown Prince is a bad guy (people say that he has
an abusive temper and has killed past girlfriends).
Eisenheim’s very presence seems to offend the Crown Prince and not one to be trifled with, the
power-crazed Count sets 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.
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The Illusionist
Edward Norton turns in an 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 playfulness when it’s called for – specifically in the scenes
when he’s showing off his magical talents on the stage and in later scenes with Jessica Biel as the
adult Sophie. Norton is so convincing as a stage magician that even while we know we’re being
tricked, we don’t mind at all the fact that 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. 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 that 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.
Conclusion:
I found the Illusionist to be one of the very best movies of 2006, and it is unquestionably worth
seeing again. It is richly costumed and photographed in sepia tones that capture the late 19th
century perfectly. The characters (the young Eisenheim and the young Sophie as well as the adult
Movie Review 4
The Illusionist
versions of the lovers) are beautifully drawn, deep and compelling. Shot in Prague, Czech
Republic, its setting is actually supposed to be Vienna, and the beauty of the architecture is
breathtaking. The stage illusions performed by Eisenheim are stunning, and as we have learned
from other movies about magicians, the cinema is not the best medium for illusions, since we
know too much about how movies are made. How this was achieved is a triumph of film making.
The ending is pure magic itself. I specially loved Inspector Uhl's dawning understanding of how
the final illusion was done. It is revealed in a series of quick cuts (perhaps a bit too quick),
ending with Uhl's delighted belly laugh. The Illusionist is a movie not to be missed; in fact, it can
be savored over and over again.
The Illusionist (2006)
Director – Neil Burger
Cast - Edward Norton, Paul Giamatti, Jessica Biel
Writers - Neil Burger (screenplay), Steven Millhauser (short story "Eisenheim the Illusionist")
Distributed by - 20th Century Fox