Rather light little tale about a magician and his love...nothing shocking or surprising

Rating: 7/10 (4 February 2007)

The Illusionist is good but that's just it...that's where it ends. The film has plenty of strong actors, a decent story, potential for a great period piece but instead the entire film beginning to end is just okay. The acting is 'just okay', the direction is 'just okay', the story...'just okay' and the twist at the end is easy to see coming which is unfortunate because it holds a lot of stock in it but I figured it out and I rarely figure anything out in a film with a twist. Despite taking place in Vienna at the turn of the century there is nothing historic about the film and despite moments of action, mystery and intrigue there just isn't anything to shout about...it's an all around average film...not bad...just not impressive.
Edward Norton is the lead as mysterious magician Eisenheim who, as a boy, fell for a girl far from his social standing and then lost touch with her seemingly forever. He traveled the world and became a renowned magician. It has been a long time since Norton took the helm in a lead role and there is no doubt that Norton is a great actor, he blew me away in Primal Fear, and American History X, both Academy Award nominated roles. However Norton's return to lead is less than impressive. He does captivate and he's easy to watch but his role is so bland and although he does his utmost to capture the mystery and romance it never quite flies the way it could or should have. Jessica Biel is his lady friend who he reunites with many years later and begins an illicit affair. I don't know if Biel is a good actor yet, I haven't decided. I know that I've seen her in some real stinkers including Stealth. Her English accent is bad and overdone, but her chemistry with Norton is good and they play well off each other so they do alright in the roles. One of my newest favorite actors Paul Giamatti plays Inspector Uhl who is investigating a murder and all paths one way or another keep leading him to the Magician. Giamatti's role is unfortunately small and does not allow him to do anything fantastic which is kind of the ongoing feat behind this film. Finally the nemesis is played by the appropriately evil looking Rufus Sewell as the Crown Prince who appears to be the most realistic suspect in the murder but no one dares go after. He's overbearing and angry and a great nemesis to Norton but as with everyone else's part he is held back by the script and story.
With more epic proportions, The Illusionist could have really been something. And it's not that it's not worth seeing...in fact it's a cute little film and actually a very nice twisting sort of romance but it's just not as spectacular as it could have been and that is disappointing. New film maker Neil Burger has a habit of overlooking details that could make a film great. His very first Indie film "Interview With The Assassin" could have really been incredible but instead was average at best and The Illusionist falls to the same fate. So worth watching but won't blow you away....get something else with it to satisfy you. Average in every way. 7/10