I saw THE ILLUSIONIST, starring Edward Norton and Paul Giamatti, last night, and I must say that it's one of my favorite movies so far this year. I get the feeling it's going to be a bit of a sleeper hit though. It has 72% on rottentomatoes.com, with 86% from the cream of the crop... and yet, I imagine the general public will probably forego seeing it in favor of Chris Nolan's foray into the world of period magic tricks, THE PRESTIGE, starring Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman. A shame, because after seeing THE ILLUSIONIST, compared to what I have seen in the trailer for THE PRESTIGE, the two films are drastically different.
THE ILLUSIONIST combines elements of romance, political intrigue, and magic to tell a tale that is both solid and engaging, if slightly predictable. Performances are excellent all around; even Jessica Biel keeps up with Norton and Giamatti, and the primary antagonist of the film is played perfectly by Rufus Sewell (John Murdoch from DARK CITY, and Fortinbras in Branagh's HAMLET). Visually, this film is stunning; I found myself immersed in the story from the moment it started, and never once did the cinematography become dull or distracting. Despite a distinct lack of action sequences (not a bad thing in my opinion, but likely the reason I saw one couple get up and leave the film halfway through), the pacing of the film never falters. All things considered, it provides excellent entertainment likely to be appreciated by a perceptive audience willing to watch a movie in which the battles are fought with the mind.
In fact, my only negative complaints are that, like I said, the plot is slightly predictable, and in the end, the trick is revealed in the same way THE USUAL SUSPECTS tells all. I kinda wish that weren't so, because I felt that there were enough clues presented throughout the film that an attentive audience could piece it all together themselves, in multiple viewings certainly, if not the first time. I think leaving that shadow of mystery would have made it more fun for many who so greatly enjoyed the presentation of THE ILLUSIONIST to sit and watch it all over again. I know I would!
THE ILLUSIONIST combines elements of romance, political intrigue, and magic to tell a tale that is both solid and engaging, if slightly predictable. Performances are excellent all around; even Jessica Biel keeps up with Norton and Giamatti, and the primary antagonist of the film is played perfectly by Rufus Sewell (John Murdoch from DARK CITY, and Fortinbras in Branagh's HAMLET). Visually, this film is stunning; I found myself immersed in the story from the moment it started, and never once did the cinematography become dull or distracting. Despite a distinct lack of action sequences (not a bad thing in my opinion, but likely the reason I saw one couple get up and leave the film halfway through), the pacing of the film never falters. All things considered, it provides excellent entertainment likely to be appreciated by a perceptive audience willing to watch a movie in which the battles are fought with the mind.
In fact, my only negative complaints are that, like I said, the plot is slightly predictable, and in the end, the trick is revealed in the same way THE USUAL SUSPECTS tells all. I kinda wish that weren't so, because I felt that there were enough clues presented throughout the film that an attentive audience could piece it all together themselves, in multiple viewings certainly, if not the first time. I think leaving that shadow of mystery would have made it more fun for many who so greatly enjoyed the presentation of THE ILLUSIONIST to sit and watch it all over again. I know I would!