Nothing is what it seems...imperfect but interesting...

Rating: 6/10 (23 July 2007)

THE ILLUSIONIST is a satisfying magic show, but not quite up to the standards I expected. One factor that was especially disappointing: any discerning viewer could easily see what the final plot twist would be long before the secret is revealed. Still, it has a certain fascination for any fan of mystery, suspense, Gothic detective stories or any sort of story involving these ingredients.
EDWARD NORTON is Eisenheim, the magician who fascinates audiences with his clever sleight of hand and amazing tricks that seem to indicate he can bring to life dead spirits.
PAUL GIAMATTI is effective as Inspector Uhl who doggedly determines to find out just what's going on behind the illusions, as much to placate his own need to know as it is to satisfy Crown Prince Leopold (RUFUS SEWELL) who has an agenda of his own for wanting the illusionist thrown into prison. It seems that his fiancé (JESSICA BIEL) has been a childhood sweetheart of the magician.
Rufus Sewell gives the film's strongest performance as Crown Prince Leopold, with Norton appearing a bit uneasy in the pivotal role of the man behind the illusions.
The film's biggest flaw is the last portion of the story, which has the detective putting the pieces of the puzzle together as a last minute fix for the story's conclusion. It doesn't strike a truthful chord since the plot was much too complicated to be solved by a few bits and pieces of the inspector's memory.
Summing up: Interesting, lots of atmosphere, beautifully photographed with an appropriate score by Paul Glass that captures the mood perfectly.