Great drama and love story, but don't expect a lot of action

Rating: 8/10 (13 January 2007)

Don't get me wrong. This move is not slow or boring, despite an overall lack of what we've come to know as action (basically brawls, cat-fights, chase scenes, people doling out and receiving violence, etc.). The plot is entertaining, the glimpses of the world of the magician are interesting, albeit not very detailed, and the love story that basically holds it all together is believable and well-acted by the protagonists, Edward Norton and Jessica Biel. Edward's role is understated and, at first glance, might seem wooden, but overall he is able to gain our empathy with his character, Eisenheim, and Eisenheim's dilemma and self-appointed mission.
It is beautifully filmed and keeps you so well entertained that the surprises along the way become that much more enjoyable, given the fact that you're so distracted. It certainly lives up to its title. The Illusionist is not only about a magician, but it weaves a magical spell all it's own. Although not perfect in it's execution, I'd still recommend it as a movie not to be missed and an awesome example of how fiction movies should depict their subject-matter, which usually involves molding pieces of reality and fantasy to aptly tell a story, anyway.