DVD Review: The Illusionist Friday, January 19, 2007 - The award-winning film, The Illusionist, is directed by Neil Burger and is based on short story by Steven Millhauser. It’s about a strangely gifted magician, Eisenheim, played by Edward Norton, who employs his craft to uproot an elitist society and achieve a forbidden love with childhood sweetheart Sophie Von Teschen, played by Jessica Biel. The film is beautifully crafted from beginning to end and follows the story with all the elegance and romance of a deep-plotted Victorian novel. From the screenplay to the musical score, the film plots a well-balanced cast against a well-crafted stage. The scenery, beautifully depicting turn-of-the-century Vienna, leaves audiences with a feeling of authenticity and satisfaction. As the story unfolds, it becomes a pleasant adventure riddled with emotion and intrigue. Norton delivers a performance that romanticizes magic and illusion and viewers will find themselves wishing it were real. It’s as if you know how the story will end, but you simply aren’t sure it’s possible. Paul Giamatti plays Chief Inspector Uhl who has a sworn allegiance to uphold law and order, but is devoted to a corrupt future king, Crown Prince Leopold, played by Rufus Sewell. As Eisenheim captures the attention and imaginations of all of Vienna, tension between the magician and the Prince mount. Wanting to steal away with Sophie though she is betrothed to Leopold, Eisenheim uses his magic to create his desired reality in spite of Inspector Uhl’s attempted interference. A truly enjoyable movie, The Illusionist is both intelligent and entertaining even while it’s based on some concepts almost too far fetched for the time. Viewers will find themselves both intrigued and amused by slight of hand and a real twist of fate. Though it’s not a typical romantic drama, it’s still pure magic. Rating: A Yud -JB
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