Combining fantastic performances from Edward Norton, Jessica Biel, Rufus Sewell and Paul Giamatti, with an entertaining story, the Illusionist is a tour-de-force that will keep movie-goers on the edge of their seats until the very end.
Taking place in Vienna at the turn of the 20th century, Norton [Red Dragon, Fight Club] plays a young magician named Eisenheim, who comes back to the city to reclaim his lost love, Sophie, played by Jessica Biel [Blade Trinity]. Unfortunately for the two however, there are a few obstacles in the way of their love, including the Prince of Vienna, played by Rufus Sewell [Helen of Troy, A Night’s Tale] and the Chief Police Inspector played by Paul Giamatti [Private Parts, Sideways] that will do anything to keep them apart.
On paper, having Norton and Biel involved in a love affair doesn’t sound too enthralling, but the shrewdness of Sewell, who Biel’s character is also involved with, makes it possible for Norton and Biel to pass off as a compatible pair. Paul Giamatti also plays a huge part in their compatibility as well, trying to balance his morals and ethics while being the corrupt errand boy of the Crown Prince that works to keep them apart as well.
With this love story providing the backbone of the film, fans of Norton and his days in movies like “Red Dragon” and “Fight Club” will fall in love with “The Illusionist” due to the many twist turns that engulf the movie and keep viewers guessing throughout. Movie-goers will also be wondering if Eisenheim’s elaborate and shocking magic tricks are a sham or in fact real, making him a modern-day Messiah, rather than a common theater magician.
This diversity in the plot of “The Illusionist,” being able to have significant development in both the area of love and magic, is, in a sense, the straw that stirs the film’s drink. Those who are turned off by love stories will have no problem contemplating if Eisenheim has super natural powers or not. The struggle between Sewell, Giamatti and Norton is also an entertaining one that adds even more brevity to the film and goes as far to prove that Sewell and Giamatti are ready to assume more leading roles, instead of being shackled in supporting roles for as long as they have.
On the whole, “The Illusionist” does a splendid job of combining elements of the romance, mystery and thriller genres in creating a movie that can be enjoyed by a wide array of audiences. The sense of style and charisma from its protagonist and supporting cast is enough in itself to watch the film, while the depth of the plot and sound atmosphere will eventually force one to see it again.
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