A brilliant expression of cinematic synergy!!!

Rating: 10/10 (11 September 2006)

Having always been passingly interested in magic and illusion, I was attracted to this movie from the very start. The list of actors involved served to further arouse my interest and the beautiful design displayed in the trailer was simply the icing on the already tempting cake. Then I saw the movie, and I have now seen all of my expectations proved utterly insufficient! The four main characters are portrayed with complete conviction by their respective players. Edward Norton plays a very cool and reserved Eisenheim. A temperament which seems a departure from some of the other roles I have seen him play. I will also jump on the bandwagon and say that I was happily surprised by the quality of performance by Jessica Biel. Her playing of Sophie was natural and involving. I hope to see more examples of this caliber from her in the future. And, of course and at the risk of being bland, the stunningly apt performances of Paul Giamatti and Rufus Sewell were treasures which would have been unexpected only by their absence.
I have heard complaints regarding the nearly insane attention to detail given to the production design, complaints which my personal aesthetic holds to be totally unfounded. The costume design is not only true to period, but also perfectly suited to both the characters and temper of the situation. The sets are powerfully dramatic in their own right, but used with such skill as to utilize that drama for the enhancement of mood without upstaging the players upon them. Likewise the score by Phillip Glass served to help steer the course of emotions in this film while also serving as a moderator to pace throughout the film. The lighting, filters, and de-focusing of the edges of the frame served to complete the nearly nostalgic experience.
As for the illusions themselves, while others picked at them and other details of the film its self, I was contented to simply be entertained and at times amazed by them. It is true that faults can be found in the construction of the film if one looks for them. But if you keep your eye on the film-makers hand, and let the film progress in its own way, then you may be tricked, but you will leave the theatre the more delighted for it!