Magical, Mist Shrouded Romance Plus

Rating: 10/10 (28 March 2007)

This film is magical and romantic in the best sense. Really well produced and acted, it is an interesting story of childhood sweethearts torn apart by class in turn of the century Vienna.
I'll be very frank, even though this is "my kind of movie" I did not see it in theatres because I did not want to pay top dollar to see another TV show/horror film American actress botch another film I would otherwise enjoy. Well, Jessica Biel does just fine as the romantic lead, Sophie. It is a rather limp leading lady role, but she acquits herself well in demeanor, sense of the time period, refinement, and the slight Viennese accent which really helps unify and solidify the entire cast. Move over Kirsten Dunst, here is a young actress who can actually handle period films. Meow.
Of course, Biel is surrounded by strong actors in much stronger roles, gorgeously moody Rufus Sewel, marvelously cast Paul Giamatti, and the versatile and here really soulful Edward Norton. He has really hit his mark here as a wounded romantic.
The magic remains magical in this film, with a supernatural feel that permeates the whole film. The melodrama of the plot is redeemed by the artistry of Norton, a really solid script that includes Sherlock Holmes type elements (Giamatti), the subtle evilness of Sewell's character, and the truly creepy actual historical locations. The theatre scenes feel like real, dusty Victorian theatres. (Contrasted with THE PRESTIGE, which I saw at the same time, which is just a bit more glossy, and not really magical at all, but a good thriller.)
As moody as a bank of fog, this is a top notch romantic date movie plus some.