The Illusionist

Rating: 7/10 (15 October 2007)

Paul Giamatti and Edward Norton lead an all-star cast in The Illusionist, a film that conjures up an exhilarating blend of suspense, romance and mind-bending twists.
The acclaimed illusionist Eisenheim( Norton) has not only captured the imaginations of all of Vienna, but also the interest of the ambitious Crown Prince Leopold (Rufus Sewell). But when the Prince's new fianc?e, Sophie ( Jessica Biel) rekindles a childhood relationship with Eisenheim, the Prince's interest evolves into obsession....and suddenly the city's Chief Inspector Uhl ( Giamatti) finds himself investigating a shocking crime. But even as the inspector engages him in a dramatic challenge of wills, Eisenheim prepares for his most impressive illusion yet.
Though the film has quite a slow pace, it is helped along by outstanding production values, a mysterious subject filed with all kinds of twists and turns, and some decent acting.
The real revelation here is none other than Paul Giamatti as the Chief Inspector, he is basically our eyes and ears-as he is more than anything the part of the audience, trying to figure how everything figures out. Is Eisenheim just an illusionist or is he something much more? Such as the controller of supernatural forces? My favorite scene from the film is probably the one where Eisenheim appears to have the ability to create life and bring back souls from the dead --by making the ghosts of real people appear and speak onstage. That scene with the little boy is kinda creepy.
Edward Norton, is in typical great form as the lead character Eisenheim. No other actor could have made this character work as well, as he manages to in this film. Rufus Sewell, chews up some scenery as well, in what at first seems like a role he has done countless times before. Even so, I liked the way he portrayed his character. In a way, the audience really learns to hate him and his arrogant and cruel ways. However, this is a certain twist that occurs at the end of this film, that raises some serious questions about two of the film's main characters.
Jessica Biel's beauty shines, but she seems a little bit out of her league here. For one, her accent is kind ridiculous. Is she, British or Austrian? In at least one major scene, she is switching between an English, German, and then back to her American accent! God damn, pick one and stick with it.
The one thing the film does as well is that it leaves open for interpretation whether Eisenheim had special powers or if that was in fact all an illusion as well. However, there is that scene where he addresses his supporters from the baclony and proclaims " Everything you have seen and everything you will see is just an illussion!" In fact, the theme of the film may just be a parable about the nature of power and its abuses.
Well worth a look, ladies and gents.