By far the best of this summer’s features, “The Illusionist” is a wonderfully poetic and romantic love story turned suspense; compelling, exciting, entertaining and moreover, a visual treat. Billed as a supernatural mystery, the story of the magician “Eisenheim” touches on very real issues of class differences, political unrest, power and corruption, but above all emanates the people’s desire to believe that there is something more than what meets the eye. And there always is.
Set in Vienna of the 1890s, the magician Eisenheim (Ed Norton) is gaining notoriety by performing tricks and feats no one had ever seen before on a theatre stage. Virtually everyone flocks to see this new master of deception and is mystified by the blurred lines of reality and illusion. He becomes known even amongst Austria’s royalty and one evening finds the Crown Prince Leopold (Rufus Sewell) with all his entourage attending his show. Leopold represents the new movement of political and social rationalism of his days and is known as a pragmatic and powerful figure. Although intrigued by Eisenheim’s skills, he rejects the notion of magic as superstition and is eager to expose Eisenheim as nothing more than a fraud. This becomes even more of an obsession with the revelation that Leopold’s fiancée Sophie von Teschen (Jessica Biel) and Eisenheim had crossed paths in their childhood. Vienna’s Chief of Police, Inspector Uhl (Paul Giamatti), a social climber and the Crown Prince’s confidant, reluctantly attempts to discredit the magician and becomes the very eyes through which we see the drama unfold.
Based on a short story by Pulitzer Prize winning author Steven Millhauser, director Neil Burger adapted the intriguing tale by building additional characters and layers of personal afflictions while preserving the essence of the man and the magic. Not simply a tool or the means to an end, the magic becomes the main player in “The Illusionist” and earns much of the praise. Whatever you see on screen is based on concepts and actual tricks performed on Europe’s magic circuit of the late 1800s. With the help of sleight-of-hand expert Ricky Jay and ‘The Man of Steal’ magician James Freedman, the production re-created some rather complicated mechanical contraptions with quite stunning results. No Computer generated images or special effects to make you wonder, but real magic tricks, many of them actually executed for the cameras by Ed Norton.
Norton threw himself with vigor into perfecting the sleight of hand he performs as Eisenheim. Having been a fan of magic for a long time, this role allowed him to venture into a world generally closed off to outsiders and the story goes that on the very first day on the set, Norton awed a crowd of about 350 extras as well as the crew when shooting the theatre scene. He fooled everyone in the audience and did so repeatedly, getting genuine reactions of bafflement from his co-stars. Aside from the magic of deception, the magic of playing a romantic lead for once had a good amount of influence on Norton’s desire for the part. His love interest Sophie is of course Jessica Biel who captures the purity of the European beauty exceptionally well; it will undoubtedly allow a new direction for the actress we are used to seeing in a different genre. When the opportunity to read for Sophie’s character came along, Biel ceased the moment and went the extra mile: She appeared for the audition in full Victorian regale, proving she was able to muster the appearance and carry herself royally. Well done!
The two most notable performances were those of Rufus Sewell and, to no surprise, Paul Giamatti. Sewell has an extensive stage and film career in the UK and simply shines as the ruthless and fierce Crown Prince in all his vigor and arrogance. A perfect opposite for Paul Giamatti to bring out a force in him we didn’t know he had. Giamatti is so thoroughly immersed in the inspector’s character, rising from his underdog image many of his past roles embody. As chief inspector Uhl he has the most complex character in the movie: balancing his affinity for Eisenheim, his loyalty to the crown and securing his own future, he alone evolves through his experiences, his conscience and choices.
“The Illusionist” is definitely a theatre movie you will enjoy re-visiting at home but should be savored at least once on the big screen to truly appreciate the magic and mystery it holds. Highly recommended, go see it!
Visit The Illusionist on the web.
Directed By: Neil Burger
Written By: Neil Burger
Cast: Edward Norton: Eisenheim; Paul Giamatti: Chief Inspector Uhl; Jessica Biel: Sophie von Teschen; Rufus Sewell: Crown Prince Leopold
Runtime: 109 minutes
Rated PG-13 for some sexuality and violence
Genre: Romance
