What a great illusion!

Rating: 9/10 (24 March 2009)

Recap: A small commoner boy learns how to weave illusions, in part to impress a young girl he has a crush on. The feelings are answered, but she is the duchess of Terschingen. They are separated and not reunited until years later. Then he has become a master illusionist and she the wife to be to the imperial heir. The flame is rekindled, but their love might be a threat to their lives.
Comments: First off, this is a visually stunning movie. The light, the mood, the angles. Every scene, every motion seems full of emotion. It really is a weave of an illusion with every picture being one of the threads. Only to watch each and every scene, even if they were disconnected, would have been enchanting.
Movie who are visually good often lack in the story. This does not. The weave that is made is very solid. Or it seems and feels that way anyway. It is a love story, a thriller and a murder story at the same time, juggling each ball/theme very well. Neither theme is lacking or is suppressed. Each has a key component to the whole. Also it keeps a great sense of wonder about it with the illusions, each more stunning than the last (even if I know that CGI might explain it). I really want to believe that the illusion is true, and to me that is a great feeling.
A great piece, a key piece in the puzzle is the acting. And even if the Crown Prince might be the bad guy, it is Eisenheim (Norton) and Inspector Uhl (Giamatti) that is the real opponents. And both bring their best. It was a long time ago I saw Norton and Giamatti this good. A near flawless performance from them both.
This was true entertainment. The sense of wonder, the sense that I couldn't miss a moment so that I didn't miss a crucial detail is rare. But it is a welcome feeling when I happen upon it. This movie comes very highly recommended from me!
9/10