Very well done film

Rating: 8/10 (18 October 2006)

After a very modest debut in 2002 with "Interview with the Assassin", director Neil Burger practically came out of nowhere with this impressive period piece that blends subtly the artistic vision of an "arthouse" film with the commercial appeal of a summer blockbuster. "The Ilusionist" is a remarkably well-done tale of drama and romance with a touch of fantasy, that while probably not entirely original or historically accurate, surely not only brings back the joy of watching a period piece, but the overall pleasure of watching movies as a whole. This may sound exaggerated (and probably it is), but in a year lacking good surprises, this is a film that really stands out among the rest. Not an easy feat for a modest independent film.
Based on the short story by Steven Millhauser, "The Ilusionist" is the tale of two different, but very similar persons. Chief Inspector Uhl (Paul Giamatti) is in charge of arresting Eisenheim (Edward Norton), the famous illusionist that has shocked Vienna with his extraordinary talent and nearly impossible tricks. Something has done Eisenheim that has forced the Crown Prince Leopold (Rufus Sewell) to order his arrest and Uhl must now do the deed. However, soon Uhl discovers that the secrets of Eisenheim the Ilusionist are related to Sophie (Jessica Biel), Prince Leopold's fiancée.
Adapted to the screen by Burger himself, "The Ilusionist" is a tale appropriately surrounded by illusions. As Uhl's character tries to uncover the nature of Eisenheim's powers, we get deeper and deeper inside the illusion crafted by the writers. While the story could had easily being about the confrontation between the illusionist and the detective, it opts for the romance angle, a move that while sacrifices a great deal of originality, is well-developed and probably suits the overall tone and mood Burger crafts with his romanticizes version of the turn of the century Vienna. The story in turn comprises both Uhl's investigation as well as the tale of the forbidden love between Eisenheim and Sophie, keeping a nice balance between both and a good deal of mystery that makes the final conclusion a great spectacle.
Visually the film is extremely good for the budget Burger had, considering its not an easy task to recreate a period piece. A highlight of the film, is the beautiful cinematography (by Dick Pope) that evokes the early silent films in a way that fits the movie perfectly. Philip Glass' score is very good, although at times feels a bit too modern (like out of place), giving an odd sensation. Still, the film works remarkably well thanks to Burger's precise direction that give life to Millhauser's story with a captivating artistic vision.
Edward Norton and Paul Giamatti are both excellent in their roles, being another of the strong points of the film. Norton delivers a classy performance that once again shows off that his talent is still there and only needs the right direction. Giamatti delivers the best acting in the movie, as Chief Inspector Uhl, he becomes our eyes and takes us through Eisenheim's illusions in a very real, albeit subtle performance. Jessica Biel is probably the weakest link in the cast, as while she looks the part, shows almost no chemistry with Norton, as if she was uncomfortable. The surprise comes from Rufus Sewell, who is both frightening and charming as Crown Prince Leopold in a way that it's a joy to hate him.
"The Ilusionist" is a terrific film considering Burger's little experience, but it has some small problems that are impossible to not notice. First of all, it's probably quite predictable, due to its unoriginal love story. However, this by no means makes it a boring film, as Burger's storytelling makes the same old story look new and fresh again, making up for its unoriginal tale. The CGI used in the film is a bit excessive and noticeable, but again, nothing that would spoil the entertainment it provides. Finally, as written above, I thought that Biel's performance is clearly overshadowed by her cast-mates, who deliver a wonderful job making Biel look a bit out of place.
Despite those troubles, "The Ilusionist" succeeds in delivering a captivating story that never becomes boring or tiresome. Without the budget of a blockbuster, Burger creates one of the best films of the year, without compromising his vision and with very good results. He certainly shows promise, let's hope his talent is not another illusion. 8/10