"The Illusionist" (2006) - Movie Review

Periodic motion pictures are always a treat to watch, since it provides the opportunity of exploring the artsy buildings, glooming streets and those interestingly dressed people which are alien to the present settings of fast food streets and hazy ambience. Bringing something that classy with a solid framework of chained interesting events is what; “The Illusionist” does, directed by Neil Burger.

Edward Norton is one of the very few actors in the current period of time whose selection of movies and the character he opts are challenging and diverse. Here he mesmerizes the audience as the great illusionist, Eisenheim. The movie runs out as what the Inspector Uhl played Paul Giamatti investigated and observed on Eisenheim and his childhood love, Sophie (Jessica Biel) who is been engaged to the Crown Prince Leopold (Rufus Sewell). I guess this setting is good enough for a normal beaten to death love stories. Not alone that and adding to it, is the use of a narration to have a better description of the mystified moments and shedding light on the deep and dark minds of characters has been done in umpteen films but the director chose specifically this style for an essential reason. In the sense, the director puts the viewers into the shoes of Inspector Uhl. The members of the audience question the authenticity and yet appreciate Eisenheim for the unimaginable and touching the doors of the “alternate” world illusions in real time stage as Uhl does. Eisenheim performs for the audience but challenges Inspector Uhl and Crown Prince and quite a way, the viewers of the movie too in the process of entertaining them. Bringing those senses is the perfect achievement for a multi genre film.

The artwork and the cinematography are attributed impeccably by the back ground score and editing. After getting thrilled and amazed by the use of colour tones in “Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events”, the movie “The Illusionist” impresses at the same degree of imagination and application of chroma in an elegant manner. The use of blurriness around the edges of the screen during the initial child hood sequences to bring the effect of viewing through a film box or bioscope is the perfect example of the intricacy and in depth details the cinematography went.

Edward Norton is a personal favourite of mine in the current era of talented actors in the industry. His characterization of Eisenheim is nothing short of brilliance. When he can come as the innocent kid in “Primal Fear” and rough young man in “American History – X”, performing a tight lipped, calm and composed skills man of tricks should have been a cake walk. Yet, he took care to portray the exact details involved for the character. The second in the line of carrying the movie forward is Paul Giamatti. His depiction of Inspector Uhl as the personality who adores the illusions of Eisenheim and the loyalty towards Price Leopold and his battle of success over conscience is top notch. Jessica Biel and Rufus Sewell provide the essential support for these two characters underplaying themselves and still noticeable.

At the end of the film, the viewers may take home their own hero of the story. The sweet wickedness of the “The Illusionist” is politically incorrect but sometimes the people believe what they want to believe in certain personalities deserving better and worse for their actions with respect to their own conscience. This is the pinnacle of illusion, this “Illusionist’ generates. One of the most entertaining and enjoyable movies of 2006 without any question.