A rare, but excellent movie-going treat

Rating: 10/10 (5 March 2007)

The popularity of the average magician is fading away into obscurity. No longer are they amongst the most popular celebrities out there like in the much older days centuries ago. A good magician film is even harder to find. With technology progressing the way it does nowadays, it is even harder to craft a good magician film without it being overblown or revealed with special effects. The Illusionist however, is a diamond in the rough, a rare exception in which when special effects is required, it delivers, but in such small doses that the magic comes off as almost believable. To add to the stunning visual effects is a magnificent score, an emotional love story, a murder mystery, suspense, drama, great writing, decent directing, and magnificent cinematography. Emerging almost out of nowhere back in 2006, it has become a surprise hit and with good reason too.
The Illusionist follows the life of a controversial magician by the name of Eisenheim (Edward Norton) that has a very unique and special gift that allows for him to do things that other people only dream about being able to do. But, despite his talents, his position in the social circle of Europe prevents him from getting a certain amount of respect. What's worse is that his love (Jessica Biel) just happens to be higher up in the social ladder, and it would be almost impossible for them to be together. Using his talents, his wits, and persistence, he tries to win his dream girl Sophie and stay away from the troubles of a corrupt inspector (Paul Giamatti) and the crown prince (Rufus Sewell).
What else is there to say about this film? Its woven together beautifully and presented magnificently. We'll start by praising the acting. Edward Norton, whose previous work has proved his ability as a superb actor (Especially Fight Club), shines yet again as the main character. You can almost feel his sorrow, his despair when he is at his emotional low points. Jessica Biel, despite her start at a mediocre family dramedy, does a swell job as Eisenheim's love interest. Mixing her natural beauty with vulnerability in her eyes Biel is impressive as a woman stuck in a world she obviously doesn't belong in. Surpassing them both is Paul Giamatti, whose work has quite a range (Big Fat Liar, Big Momma's House, Sideways), yet nails it home portraying the calm yet rather lost Inspector Uhl.
Continuing on the praise express, the next stop is congratulating the writer for lacing a great screenplay out of a relatively unknown short story. Full of details, plot twists, mysteries, and tense moments, you as the audience are left mesmerized and unaware of what is about to happen next. Taking advantage of a fine script, the director (Neil Burger, who happens to be the writer as well) and cinematographer (Dick Pope) capture all the majesty and mastery of our main character and the unsolved questions of the conflicts by displaying beautiful scenery, a knack for tone, and the ability to drop off little clues and fine points as the movie charges along from one scene to the next. Also helping progress The Illusionist is the original score of Philip Glass, which stands as one of the best composers in Hollywood today.
The third act is where everything falls into play and the true abilities of everyone involved is revealed. In the third act, we see the best in directing, music, acting, and writing, as the ending comes almost out of nowhere but comes off as so refreshing, you cannot help but have a smile on your face as the credits roll. Unlike most films, the final moments of the movie rewards the audience by revealing the tricks that not only the magician but also the director had pulled right in front of your eyes. The Illusionist serves as a piece of work that is a magic trick: there is the teaser, the scenario, and then before you know it, the magic.
Bottom Line: A nice movie that exceeded expectations and stunned critics and audiences alike, The Illusionist serves as a unique movie going experience that is quite captivating and entertaining to watch. With a hint of mystery with romance, drama, suspense, and themes of love, fate, and life against death, this serves as one of 2006's biggest and most underrated surprises. Firing on all cylinders and hitting the mark quality-wise in all aspects of film-making, it's really hard to find something wrong with this picture. Morality issues may be sparking once the film is done, but in terms of technical issues and directing techniques, there's very, very little to complain about here. Highly recommend, hopefully we'll see more of Neil Burger in the near future.