now you tree it, now you don't....'

Rating: 9/10 (10 January 2007)

i always enjoy Rufus Sewell in a film. He doesn't always play "the bad guy", but once again he isn't exactly Santa Claus here, as crown prince Leopold. There was a Leopold about that time, uncle and father-in-law to the future Queen Victoria, but this Leopold is fictitious, i'm sure. Paul Giamatti is also very good and unrecognizable from his role in SIDEWAYS. His character is intelligent, complex, and has virtue. Edward Norton is an extremely versatile and gifted actor, and for the most part, he is up to the challenge here, as a rather morose "illusionist" deprived of the love of his life based on his lower class background. Mess with him, mess with his powers, which, by the way, makes Harry Potter look like an amateur. the film swirls like random yet seamless time and truly does have a magical quality to it. Burger does this with heavy use of dark tones, creepy music, and elusive visions. There is a narrative going on in the background as well, lending to the rather dark ambiance of this film. This film is a blend of gender and governmental politics, vengeance, jealousy, forbidden love, heart break, amazement, a puzzle-necklace of love, and mystery. Norton's character has seeming powers which threaten the ruling class, and even the normalcy of the times. Of course, these things are often not allowed, regardless of which time in history it may be. It isn't a good idea to accuse a crown prince of murder.And yet, "magicians" have a right to their secrets, do they not? Eisenheim does his best to convince the crowds that his feats are simply illusions, tricks, magic. But the crowds are not convinced, and nor was i. That old man by the tree when Eisenheim was a child gave him something, an invisible yet tangible gift. How he uses that gift is the driving force of this film. It's an intriguing and interesting ride. Personally, i would run from this character's magic....Paul's character, the chief inspector Uhl, says to Eisenheim, not wanting to arrest him, "you cant bring down the monarchy". Somehow i don't believe Oliver Cromwell would have agreed with that; nor the Bolsheviks.... Eisenheim's final act on stage is something to behold. I found this film somewhat difficult, and it requires some emotional energy to watch. But it was worth the watch. It is a well-crafted film with a seamless sense of time and action. Very good, although, if you're feeling depressed, i'd save it for another time....even with the "usual suspects" kinda "happy" ending....