JOE'S SUMUP: Undiluted magic
(2006) Some films contain real magic, like Harry Potter. Others contain fake magic, such as The Prestige. This is a film that, simply put, is magic, in and of itself. What's magic then, in this case? Such a film to me will entrance its audience with a story both believable and impossible, containing characters doing combat with more than guns and swords, and of course quality enduring romance. "The Illusionist" goes above and beyond all that. It offers up its tale with an artistry from which one may feel swept right into the magic of 19th-century Vienna. The art direction and costuming are period-perfect, the cinematography has a sepia-toned storybook quality to it, Philip Glass's score is so haunting and penetrating it makes me feel absolutely vulnerable. And, special effects have never looked less like special effects. "The Illusionist" at
times has a decidedly creepy tone to it. As I always say, keep watching. As both a peasant child and a professional adult, Edward Abramovich (aka Eisenheim The Illusionist) has a gift for conjuring magic so real, that he is capable of convincing entire audiences of anything he wishes. After his sweetheart, the Duchess Sophie von Teschen, is torn from his side while both young children, he proceeds to travel the world to learn the greatest illusions as one may only find far away from the common trickery of Vienna (no, no spoiler alerts so far). Upon his return as an adult opening a new act, he enchants his audiences, until he is soon himself enchanted again by his childhood love, who is then dating the conniving Crown Prince of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The plot thickens... and I can say no more here, lest I give away the great illusion.
Let me make mention of the cast and performances for a moment. Flawless. I'll also reemphasize here, I write mostly to recommend great movies, the best of them. So if my constant zeal comes off as hyperbole, let me assure you it isn't. I have little interest in giving press to mediocre films, so I don't. That said, flawless. And I do mean absolutely flawless.
I was introduced to Edward Norton by this movie, playing the calm and pensive Eisenheim. His perfect role here. Jessica Biel was an unlikely choice for portraying the feminine and bold Von Teschen. Her perfect role here. Rufus Sewell takes on the Crown Prince Leopold. No surprise there, he was born to play the part of sinister villain. His perfect role here. Finally, perhaps the most enjoyable performance of all is delivered by a beefy Paul Giamatti, playing a gruff Chief Inspector with a childlike delight for the ethereal. Absolutely perfect.
Where are the flaws in this film? Well obviously it's a romance, so if you're squeamish at a rather sensuous love scene showing no nudity but sensuousness nonetheless, fast-forward for 15 seconds---you'll know when, with plenty of warning. Other than that, you tell me. Now we always like to say we're rooting for the underdog, but let's face it, when push come to shove, too many still patronize Wal-Mart, McDonald's, and IBM. Don't yell "Hypocrite!" at me---I already know I am one. But as an idealist, and while I do love a good Warner Bros. action flick, I have a great affinity for indie films. Especially ones which make Hollywood look stupid. One would never guess that "The Illusionist" was made by Bob Yari, an Iranian-American independent producer, on a budget of 17 mill. It appears less interested in its successful revenues, and offers up something more for its audiences.
Movies shouldn't just entertain us. OK, maybe some should. But hopefully most will get us thinking a little too, on the world and our lives, our surroundings and our encounters, our
interactions, our flaws and our strengths, our loves and our hates, the very subterfuge of life which demands our interest. When I see a man balance a monarch's sword on its tip, then make subtle mockery of the ruler's inaptitude for true greatness, I too feel like I can
see through the trick. Money is not enough, gadgetry is not enough, impression is not enough, authority is never enough. True greatness is rooted and cultivates through principle and idealism, indifference rejected. It is then that intangible simulacra may transcend authenticity. Spare me some indulgence as I say, let everyone's ideals be enveloped by a consummate spirit of progress, determined to discover what greater treasures like in store for those who will reject the greatest illusion known as reality. It's a nice illusion for this idealist anyhow. Running time: 110 min.
