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The Illusionist (2006)
Director: Neil Burger
Writers: Neil Burger(screenplay), Steven Millhauser(short story)
Cast: Edward Norton, Jessica Biel, Paul Giamatti
Genre: Period Drama, Mystery
About: An acclaimed stage Illusionist, named Eisenheim. Who in 19th century Vienna performs stage illusions that transcend the believable. Some believe he has real powers and is not just a stage magician. When he meets up with a childhood love (Jessica Biel) who's now a Duchess, betrothed to wed the Crown Prince Leopold, he begins a series of dangerous illusions in attempt to win her love and discredit the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince is not a man to be trifled with and Eiseneheim and the Duchess's affair brings danger to the pair.
Review: This was recommended to me after I reviewed another movie, The Prestige (2006). Both movies were made in the same year and are about 19th century magicians...but that's where the similarity ends. This film The Illusionist is a PG-13 Drama Romance with a healthy dose of mystery included.
Edward Norton is Eiseneheim, the Illusionist. Usually Norton is a powerhouse in his films but here he choose to play the illusionist as a very quiet, soft spoken and mysterious person. It's not a stand out performance, but then again it's what the movie needs to balance out the other characters, who are more verbose.
Paul Giamatti is a police inspector employed by the antagonistic Duke. What works well is, even though Giamatti's character is told to investigate and stop Eisenheim, he still manages to make the audience care about his character, while giving us a three dimensional performances.
The Duchess played by Jesica Biel could have been replaced with any actresses, and it wouldn't have mattered. She wasn't bad, but she didn't stand out either, sort of luke warm. The actor who played the belligerent Prince Leopold, made a good bad guy and was pretty darn intense.
The illusions are done on screen by CG, which made them look unbelievable, but then again Eisenheim is suppose to have the power to raise spirits and talk to them, all which is said to be unbelievable.
The Illusionist (2006)
Writers: Neil Burger(screenplay), Steven Millhauser(short story)
Cast: Edward Norton, Jessica Biel, Paul Giamatti
Genre: Period Drama, Mystery
About: An acclaimed stage Illusionist, named Eisenheim. Who in 19th century Vienna performs stage illusions that transcend the believable. Some believe he has real powers and is not just a stage magician. When he meets up with a childhood love (Jessica Biel) who's now a Duchess, betrothed to wed the Crown Prince Leopold, he begins a series of dangerous illusions in attempt to win her love and discredit the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince is not a man to be trifled with and Eiseneheim and the Duchess's affair brings danger to the pair.
Review: This was recommended to me after I reviewed another movie, The Prestige (2006). Both movies were made in the same year and are about 19th century magicians...but that's where the similarity ends. This film The Illusionist is a PG-13 Drama Romance with a healthy dose of mystery included.
Edward Norton is Eiseneheim, the Illusionist. Usually Norton is a powerhouse in his films but here he choose to play the illusionist as a very quiet, soft spoken and mysterious person. It's not a stand out performance, but then again it's what the movie needs to balance out the other characters, who are more verbose.
Paul Giamatti is a police inspector employed by the antagonistic Duke. What works well is, even though Giamatti's character is told to investigate and stop Eisenheim, he still manages to make the audience care about his character, while giving us a three dimensional performances.
The Duchess played by Jesica Biel could have been replaced with any actresses, and it wouldn't have mattered. She wasn't bad, but she didn't stand out either, sort of luke warm. The actor who played the belligerent Prince Leopold, made a good bad guy and was pretty darn intense.
The illusions are done on screen by CG, which made them look unbelievable, but then again Eisenheim is suppose to have the power to raise spirits and talk to them, all which is said to be unbelievable.