This is Oscar material

Rating: 9/10 (23 September 2006)

This is the best film I've seen this year, and I see a lot. Set in the mid to late 1800s Austria, it tells the story of a mysterious young man, an illusionist - or magician in our terms - who has an equally mysterious past. He earns a living performing in theaters and wowing the crowds.
But more than this, it is a great love story. Childhood friends, the illusionist (Norton) is separated from the love of his life, Sophie, a Duchess (Biel) while in their teens. Later they meet again under very unusual and difficult circumstances.
Again, a wonderful love story combined with political intrigue, mystery and more, and as the magic tricks become more complicated, we begin to wonder, as does his audience, if they are indeed "tricks". Or does Esenheim possess supernatural powers?