The Illusionist (2006)

Director:

Neil Burger

Writers (WGA):

Neil Burger (screenplay)
Steven Millhauser (short story "Eisenheim the Illusionist")

Release Date:

1 September 2006 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Mystery | Romance | Thriller

Tagline:

Nothing is what it seems

Plot:

In turn-of-the-century Vienna, a magician uses his abilities to secure the love of a woman far above his social standing.

Plot Keywords:

Random Sex | Distress | Loss Of Loved One | Reunited | Austrian Alps

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 5 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Edward Norton	...	Eisenheim
Paul Giamatti	...	Inspector Uhl
Jessica Biel	...	Sophie
Rufus Sewell	...	Crown Prince Leopold
Eddie Marsan	...	Josef Fischer (as Edward Marsan)
Jake Wood	...	Jurka
Tom Fisher	...	Willigut
Aaron Johnson	...	Young Eisenheim
Eleanor Tomlinson	...	Young Sophie
Karl Johnson	...	Doctor / Old Man
Vincent Franklin	...	Loschek
Nicholas Blane	...	Herr Doebler
Philip McGough	...	Dr. Hofzinser
Erich Redman	...	Count Rainer
Michael Carter	...	Von Thurnburg

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some sexuality and violence.

Runtime:

110 min

Country:

Czech Republic | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Portugal:M/12 | Australia:M | Singapore:PG | France:U | Argentina:Atp | Brazil:14 | Canada:G (Quebec) | Finland:K-11 | Denmark:11 | USA:PG-13 | South Korea:15 | Netherlands:12 | Ireland:12A | Sweden:7 | UK:PG | Singapore:NC-16 (DVD rating) | Norway:11

Filming Locations:

Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic

Company:

Bull's Eye Entertainment

Trivia:

The trick of the Orange Tree was invented by a 19th Century French magician named Robert-Houdin. It was from Robert-Houdin that another magician, Ehrich Weiss, came up with the stage name "Houdini."

Goofs:

Continuity: When Eisenheim is arrested, his arms are at his side and crossed at the exact same spot during his arrest at the beginning of the show (current time) and the flashback.

Quotes:

Crown Prince Leopold: I want you to put and end to it.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson: (#3.6)" (2006)

This is not a Review. This is only an Illusion.

"The Illusionist" is a unique film that combines two often stale genres into something fresh: the lush romantic period piece and the "AHA!" mystery thriller (a genre M. Night Shamalyan has single-handedly run into the ground recently). Helmed by a first time director (Neil Burger), based on a short story, and featuring an eclectic cast, "The Illusionist" had the perfect set-up to be a monumental disaster. With a graceful slight-of-hand, it ends up being something very good.

As with any run-of-the-mill period piece, there's a lavish attention to the set designs and costumes, here representing late nineteenth century Vienna. Director Burger puts a nice spin on the same-old, same-old with an acute attention to lighting (especially in the dreamily over-exposed flashbacks) and old fashioned camera techniques (witness the circular camera's eye closing to transition from scenes) to give the film the feel of being a fond memory of a classic movie from a bygone era.

The central romance where Edward Norton's title character and Jessica Biel's Dutchess are star-crossed lovers kept apart because of class and society, had all the makings of a snore-inducing cheese-athon. Executed in an understated manner that services the greater plot, it ends up being anything but. Norton's performance, especially in the second half of the film when he turns into a man of very few words, had the potential to be one-note. As an actor, he speaks volumes with his eyes. Biel, a former teen idol and TV star, seemed a horrific choice for this role. She pulls of the nifty trick of being quite good. Even better are Rufus Sewell as the tyrannical crown-prince and Paul Giamatti as the chief inspector. Using a short story as the source material, characterizations had the potential to be paper-thin, but these seasoned veterans make the most of their lines and scenes adding terror, humor, and gravitas through their vocal and physical deliveries where lesser actors would've been wooden and cold. The entire cast also worked together very well utilizing their odd, vaguely European and aristorcatic accent. Everyone used it so consistently and earnestly, it didn't seem to matter after awhile that the accent was unnecessary.

A more over-eager or pretentious director may have completely sabotaged the fantastic ending to "The Illusionist" and cheated the audience. Handled deftly by Burger, the grande finale where "all is revealed" is a wholly organic and satisfying conclusion that rewards the patient viewer and fulfills the lofty promises of the themes presented throughout the work.

"The Illusionist" boasts an excellent music score from minimalist composer Phillip Glass that easily rivals his great work done in "Candyman" and "The Hours." Norton and Giamatti treat us to some of the best "staring" since the days of silent films. The look on Giamatti's face and the positioning of his raised eyebrows as he watches Norton perform his illusions coupled with Norton's eyes as he pulls off his tricks are priceless.