The Illusionist is a romance caught up with illusion, wit, magic and a daring race for survival.
It's a movie that keeps you guessing, enthralled and captivated until the very last moment.
The character portrayals are excellent, with motivations left just ambiguous enough for some to draw their own conclusions.
Edward Norton in the lead role is always going to take the headlines but a performance of particular note was that of Paul Giamatti as Chief Inspector. Trying to appease both sides of the two male leads - Norton as the Illusionist, Eisenheim and Rufus Sewell as Crown Prince Leopold, he gradually gets drawn in and ultimately decides to uphold a righteous justice... or so he thinks. Sewell's portrayal of the Crown Prince is excellently carried out, and the emotional journey that he takes is extremely convincing.
The twist at the end where everything comes together can be seen as either a spoiler that ruins the suspense of the film, or an ending that goes a long way to clarifying everything that has happened in the previous 2 hours.
Philip Glass' score is a masterpiece, moving the story along and striking all the right notes to ensure that no minute goes by without ensuring the audience's full attention is on the screen.
There's nothing really bad about the movie per se, but the ending falls a little flat once it's over and you start to reflect on it. It's a story that is told for entertainment's sake, rather that for any grand or social commentary reasons along the lines of similar-yet-different movies such as the Prestige.
Overall, this is a great movie to watch and watch again while you try and work everything out... if it's even there TO figure out. A worthy watch, and very much worth 4 out of 5 stars.
I watched this with my boyfriend and I really enjoyed it. I agree about the ending though... they could have done something better, I think.
I LOVE this movie. One of my favorites. And the music is amazing, though if it's not your style, you may not like it.
I've heard nothing but good things about this movie, and I want to see it pretty badly. Edward Norton can do no wrong, imo. He even made the Hulk watchable.
I haven't read one of your posts in a while! I keep missing them on my feed, I guess. How are you?
@AibellFaeire - I'm good! Yeah, I've been on a bit of a spurt recently, and there's a few more to come so keep an eye out! XP Just been keeping the ship steady, working a fair bit while the better half is in France finishing up a summer French course. She's back on the 20th! :)
I always wanted to know how the orange tree worked. And how he got everything in place for the sword thing. And the cool first trick with the two people. While I like The Illusionist, I prefer The Prestige.
Who do you think made The Illusionist more watchable: Ed Norton or Paul Giamatti?
@cmdr_keen - Irony! My better half leaves for Italy on the twentieth. =) I'm glad she'll be back soon, you must miss her. I'm glad you're blogging more! I missed your entries. =)
@ProfessorTom - Oooh, that's a toughie! Hmm. I'd say Paul Giamatti: Ed Norton's character more sat back and created situations where everyone watching (both in the movie and in the audience) made their own minds up. Giamatti's character had a lot more development, I think, then Norton's so I'd say that Giamatti was the one who made it a lot more watchable then the original premise suggests. That's not to take away from Norton's portrayal - he was excellent, as always.
Who do you think made it more watchable?
Oh, and STOP PRESS: I'm about to start watching The Upside to Anger, if I can find a workable link... XP
@AibellFaeire - Oooh wow! Italy!? Awesome... I've always wanted to go there, and I might get the opportunity during our honeymoon next year. How long his he going for? I'm definitely missing her, although our kitties just about keep me company and make me smile :) Thanksies! I have a few ideas that I'm toying around with, and should hopefully be up on here by Sunday night. Stay tuned!
@cmdr_keen- I whole-heartedly agree with you. Giamatti's character was the one that did all the changing, but if Norton didn't do his part the movie would have been unwatchable. Really, all four main characters make the movie what it is. I just wanted to see you sweat.
Texas, I want you to take note: your betrothed just said that you could be replaced with a bunch of fuzzy kittens. I'm definitely missing her, although our kitties just about keep me company and make me smile :)
@ProfessorTom - You missed the important two words: just about . As in, barely.Oh, and it'd be the same if the situation was reversed: she's very much a kitten/cat person as anyone! XP
Anyway, quit messin' with us! Ya got your independence, what more do you want from us!?
@ProfessorTom - Aw, shucks... sorry, can't do that. Can't you go to the local college and hang around the stadium? I'm sure you'll find a cheerleader somewhere, then you'll just need to follow him/her back to the changing rooms... bingo! XP
@cmdr_keen - I don't go to events that feature male cheerleaders.
@ProfessorTom - Then you'd better keep two eyes peeled for the female variety ;)
@cmdr_keen - I wanna go too, I'm really jealous of him. And you if you might go there for your honeymoon! That would be really romantic. He'll be there for about a month. It's a trip he and his mom have been planning for ages, kind of a graduation present - he just finished high school this year. How long has your girl been gone? And my kitties have been pivotal in assuaging my loneliness when he's at work, so they'll probably play a big part in it when he's in another country. Thank goodness for cats. =)
@AibellFaeire - Yay for cats! Mine even have an album on here :)
She'll have been gone for six weeks by the time she gets back - next week! :)
Ah, a month isn't that long really... by the time you really really wish he was back... he will be! That's an uber-tastic graduation present - that's how Liz got to go to Paris for a week last year - she was able to join her cousin who had just graduated .
And don't worry, Italy is definitely on the list, along with the UK, Germany, France and Switzerland. Maybe even Austria and Belgium/Holland. It'll be fun planning if the the finances work out for us! :)
Comments (17)
I watched this with my boyfriend and I really enjoyed it. I agree about the ending though... they could have done something better, I think.
I LOVE this movie. One of my favorites. And the music is amazing, though if it's not your style, you may not like it.
I've heard nothing but good things about this movie, and I want to see it pretty badly. Edward Norton can do no wrong, imo. He even made the Hulk watchable.
I haven't read one of your posts in a while! I keep missing them on my feed, I guess. How are you?
@AibellFaeire - I'm good! Yeah, I've been on a bit of a spurt recently, and there's a few more to come so keep an eye out! XP Just been keeping the ship steady, working a fair bit while the better half is in France finishing up a summer French course. She's back on the 20th! :)
Who do you think made The Illusionist more watchable: Ed Norton or Paul Giamatti?
@cmdr_keen - Irony! My better half leaves for Italy on the twentieth. =) I'm glad she'll be back soon, you must miss her. I'm glad you're blogging more! I missed your entries. =)
@ProfessorTom - Oooh, that's a toughie! Hmm. I'd say Paul Giamatti: Ed Norton's character more sat back and created situations where everyone watching (both in the movie and in the audience) made their own minds up. Giamatti's character had a lot more development, I think, then Norton's so I'd say that Giamatti was the one who made it a lot more watchable then the original premise suggests. That's not to take away from Norton's portrayal - he was excellent, as always.
Who do you think made it more watchable?
Oh, and STOP PRESS: I'm about to start watching The Upside to Anger, if I can find a workable link... XP
@AibellFaeire - Oooh wow! Italy!? Awesome... I've always wanted to go there, and I might get the opportunity during our honeymoon next year. How long his he going for? I'm definitely missing her, although our kitties just about keep me company and make me smile :)
Thanksies! I have a few ideas that I'm toying around with, and should hopefully be up on here by Sunday night. Stay tuned!
Texas, I want you to take note: your betrothed just said that you could be replaced with a bunch of fuzzy kittens. I'm definitely missing her, although our kitties just about keep me company and make me smile :)
@ProfessorTom - You missed the important two words: just about . As in, barely.Oh, and it'd be the same if the situation was reversed: she's very much a kitten/cat person as anyone! XP
Anyway, quit messin' with us! Ya got your independence, what more do you want from us!?
Stupid question.
@ProfessorTom - Aw, shucks... sorry, can't do that. Can't you go to the local college and hang around the stadium? I'm sure you'll find a cheerleader somewhere, then you'll just need to follow him/her back to the changing rooms... bingo! XP
@cmdr_keen - I don't go to events that feature male cheerleaders.
@ProfessorTom - Then you'd better keep two eyes peeled for the female variety ;)
@cmdr_keen - I wanna go too, I'm really jealous of him. And you if you might go there for your honeymoon! That would be really romantic. He'll be there for about a month. It's a trip he and his mom have been planning for ages, kind of a graduation present - he just finished high school this year. How long has your girl been gone? And my kitties have been pivotal in assuaging my loneliness when he's at work, so they'll probably play a big part in it when he's in another country. Thank goodness for cats. =)
@AibellFaeire - Yay for cats! Mine even have an album on here :)
She'll have been gone for six weeks by the time she gets back - next week! :)
Ah, a month isn't that long really... by the time you really really wish he was back... he will be! That's an uber-tastic graduation present - that's how Liz got to go to Paris for a week last year - she was able to join her cousin who had just graduated .
And don't worry, Italy is definitely on the list, along with the UK, Germany, France and Switzerland. Maybe even Austria and Belgium/Holland. It'll be fun planning if the the finances work out for us! :)
I loved it, I was totally shocked at the end!
Come back!