The Illusionist (2006)

[X.]

Magic is in fashion again!

Be interesting to see how Nolan's "The Prestige" will fare after this film's release.

Nolan's film got everything I need/want: It’s based on a book both Shariq and I love, its got Bale, and its directed by ak's new Hitchcock, Nolan.

Now what does "The Illusionist" have? Let's see: Jessica Biel? OK, I'm in!

It’s up for release and early reviews are mostly positive. Directed by Neil Burger. Anyone here, except Duff, seen "Interview with an Assassin"?

[fizz]

I never did my background check on who the director of this flick was. Thanks for pointing it out Adnan.

I will include Interview with an assasin (which has been lying at home) in this weekend's 'to watch and review' list

[shariqq]

!

[X.]

They are getting the posters and other marketing collateral right for "The Illusionist."

This is how I had imagined "The Prestige" would be - alas, its all modern thriller look for that film.

[X.]

Last night I dreamt of "The Illusionist."

[shariqq]

Wouldn't you rather dream of the girl of his desires?

[X.]

Biel, eh? I wish I could control my dreams - I'd be so busy with her, I'd never wake up!

Not that it really matters, but "The Illusionist" is doing good business at US box office.

Come out, you fucking "Prestige"!

[moviemaniac]

I saw it a couple weeks ago, and it's great. Superb acting from Norton, Sewell and Giamatti, a great score by Phillip Glass, and marvelous cinematography. It's currently my #2 of the year. Plus, Biel is hot as always.

[animatedude]

this is already out in Bahrain and i saw it on Wednesday.it's not out in the UAE yet,right? i loved it but it's not as good as ppl say.but i can totally understand why it had this cult success, you will understand once you see it.

AK,i never thought Jessica Biel is hot, until i saw this...she's quite something.but the girl who plays her character when she was young is SO FUCKIN' HOT.

i also manged to find the OOP DVD of Neil Burger's earlier film "Interview with the Assassin" in one the DVD stores in bahrain (it was the last copy and it was cheap! lucky me!)

[madali]

The Illusionist (2006)
IMDB Link

The best part about magic tricks is its mystery. Once we know how it is done, that not only spoils the trick’s future entertainment value, but it also diminishes the pleasure you had of it in the past. That is, once you know the secret of the magic trick, it seems to remove some of the fun you might have had while watching the trick before.

That is what the movie is. A somewhat interesting and fun ride, but once the secret is revealed, it not only ends bad, but it ruins the fun you had at the rest of the film, and brings down the full film experience. “The Illusionist” is yet another example of a film with a twist ending, that does not need a twist ending. Directors need to realize that twists do not necessarily make a movie clever by itself. Just because the audience has not figured out the twist does not mean we, as the audience, are going to enjoy its unpredictability, especially when it does not seem to make sense.

Edward Norton as the magician is fascinating. We are interested in magic tricks outside movies because we know that it can not be real, but we can't figure out how it can not be real. By that logic, magic tricks in a movie should not be interesting, because we can figure how it is done to get the result on screen. CGI or camera techniques or whatever. Yet to the credit of the movie’s and Edward Norton’s credit, the magic tricks are still awe inspiring, mainly because the tricks are interesting, and Norton has a good way of presenting them.

As a whole, the main remains a bit weak, especially with the twist ending. But in parts, the movie still captures our imaginations and will rekindle a love for magic tricks, which seems to have died a bit in recent years. Now I look forward to the next magic movie, “The Prestige”.

3/5

[X.]

I was able to get past the twist by accepting "The Illusionist" as a love story. For me, this film is more about romance than magic which really is a means to an end. It is one of the best-made, best-acted and genuinely entertaining films of the year. The visual style and music is also truly remarkable.

[madali]

I read your review, and I really think much about the love story. I thought the love chemistry was a bit weak.

[fizz]

'The Illusionist' is a majestic love story set in turn of century Vienna. Acts of magic seen in a movie may not have the impact they do if we were to witness them live because what is a good trick for the people watching a peformance in the film is merely a good (or bad) special effect for the audience watching the film. Thankfully director Neil Burger doesn't try to win us over with the magic acts but with great performances from lead Edward Norton, as the enchanting, mysterious, but never shallow Eisenheim and especially the shady inspector Uhl, played magnificently well by Paul Giamatti. In his desire to succeed and rise above the ranks of society, Uhl is determined, but never overshadowed by the abject corruption that surrounds him and this makes him the most fascinating person in the film.

Jessical Biel, as the love interest of both Eisenheim and the egotistical Prince Leopold (an adept Rufus Sewell), the man she is possibly set to marry, is the only oddly cast star, mostly because she remains contemporary in an archaic setting. The film builds to a great ending, one that a discerning viewing can probably see coming (I did!), but which provides a suitable conclusion to a film about secrets and illusions to trick us. Philip Glass' score makes the film swell with its urgency and helps sweep us into the time period of the story. A great way to start the year.

Rating 4/5

[weirdo]

Edward Norton was perfect in this, I really enjoyed this

[njduffy72]

Hmmm... I have mixed feelings on this picture.

It's Ok, but the end is a joke - on us. I mean, Giamatti my well be standing on the station in awe, but I was lete thinking what a cop out. It's just a cheat. Neiter does it stand up to a re-watch where you are 'amazed' by the mis-direction.

it's main failing is that, unlike The Prestige, all the tricks are done with the aid of CGI. You know, you can't imagine how they done.