Great film, deserves an Oscar

Rating: 8/10 (14 October 2006)

The Illusionist *** http://www.theillusionist.com/ Director Neil Burger Written by Neil Burger from a short story by Steven Millhauser Cast: Edward Norton, Paul Giamatti, Jessica Biel, Rufus Sewell
Review by Larry Stanley www.penguincomics.net
I had no real idea what I was expecting when I went into the auditorium to see Illusionist. I thought it might be a supernatural film or some piece of drek dealing with evil demons and human sacrifice. Or, for all I knew it could have been a comedy alone the lines of Jerry Lewis' finest work. What I didn't expect was one of the best mystery's this so far this year. Edward Norton plays Eisenheim, a young magician in Vienna around the turn of the century who captures the minds and hearts of both the regular citizen and the upper classes when his illusions and abilities mystify them. He has traveled the world, learning the secrets of magic and legerdemain, and now has returned to his home city to live and work. But, Eisenheim is also a man who lost his first and true love as a child because she was a Countess and he was a commoner. And guess who he meets fifteen years later on the opening night of his act? The Countess Sophie, now a stunningly beautiful woman (played with amazing ability by Jessica Biel, who finally proves to me she is more then a pretty face) is engaged to the jerk, Prince Leopold (Rufus Sewell). Leo takes an immediate dislike to Eisenheim and sets out to 'explain' his tricks. Paul Giamatti is the police inspector who is in the Prince's pocket and does his dirty work for him. And who also knows about the Princes plan to overthrow his father and take over the country. Visually, the movie was absolutely beautiful. Filmed in the Czech Republic at some of the most fantastic locations, The Illusionist is a wonderful period piece, enhanced by great characters and acting, along with some nifty illusions, a splendid soundtrack, and an fun story. The movie flowed like a soft stream in a forest glen, unlike one or two other mysteries I could name but won't (cough cough Black Dahlia cough cough) that look like the Mississippi during spring runoff. It moves flawlessly along, clear and steady without muddying up the water with multiple plot lines that are simply confusing. I have always been a fan of Ed Norton, and have seldom seen him in anything that I did not enjoy. He has remarkable pacing, his presence in front of the camera is excellent and he has a voice that can't be confused. His role as Eisenheim was careful, studious and characterized by a boredom that would mimic easily the put upon showman simply trying to do his job and yet dealing with drones who don't or can't understand him or his work. Paul Giamatti however, has not been a favorite; I mean it is not like I would go out of my way to watch him. If he was in something I saw, he usually carried out his role as a shome or a nerd quite well, but I never saw him in a major role until now. He was magnificent as Chief Inspector Uhl, bringing to the role both comic relief and a sincerity that many actors have to force, but seemed to come easy to him here. Rufus Sewell was cast perfectly as Prince Leopold, and is excellent as the villain. Every time he is on the screen, you almost want to yell "boo" at the scene. Sewell comes across easily as the vain and power driven Prince who gloats that he is above the laws of men and the people around him. But what shocked me most was Biel, who is not just beautiful in this film but also shows more talent then she has ever shown me before. And yes, I do count; my opinion of her acting does matter since I am the one she is supposed to entertain. And so are you, and you. Well, maybe not you; the guy stoned and watching "Jackass" but most of the rest of us. I have seldom seen someone in this generation control her scenes the way Biel did here. She displays almost as much talent here as Norton did in some of his early roles most of all in Primal Fear. If she can continue like this we might just be looking at someone with a real future, not just someone who has to do a sex video every few years to stay in the limelight.
Neil Burger has presented us with a flat out remarkable film that is made even better by the music of Philip Glass, that fit the scenes and fill the screen with just the right amount of suspenseful foreboding. A love story, a mystery, an adventure all in one. This is what movie making is supposed to be about. And if Black Dahlia or Hollywoodland may get an Oscar mention, The Illusionist deserves to win.