Disappointing

Rating: 6/10 (29 April 2007)

I had big expectations from this movie, but I was very disappointed. While the Giamatti character has life and is enjoyable, the illusionist himself (Edward Norton) isn't really likable and seems too cold and lifeless. While the settings are really good and the old Vienna is shown in its beauty, for me this movie has 5 big flaws:
1) The Edward Norton character is too cold and rigid 2) The illusions aren't explained 3) The big turn of the story isn't really so big and you can easily anticipate it at about half the movie 4) The story is not engaging at all (apart the Giamatti search for the truth) 5) microphones are often seen hanging down above the characters heads, and this is a bit annoying
6/10 ... and I am being generous.
Nothing to compare with "The prestige", that is ways ways better than "The illusionist".