THE ILLUSIONIST

The Illusionist is a hypnotic story of magic, murder and palace intrigue set in turn-of-the-century Vienna.  Edward Norton plays “Eisenheim the Illusionist” whose stage shows cast a spell amongst the locals and raise the ire of the Crown Price (Rufus Sewell).  As a child, Eisenheim had fallen in love with “Sophie”  (Jessica Biel) who was from a wealthy royal family.  When they tried to run away together, they were caught and she was taken away from him.  Fifteen years later, as Eisenheim is doing an illusion on stage, he calls for a volunteer from the audience.  He is astonished to realize that the woman who volunteers is the girl he had fallen in love with years ago.  They arrange to meet in private where they quickly rekindle their feelings.  Unfortunately their class distinctions still threaten drive a wedge between them.  Due to political reasons, she is expected to marry the evil and corrupt Crown Prince.  Eisenheim must avoid the vengeance of the Crown Prince and find a way for he and Sophie to be together.

This film is a very classy period piece with top notch acting.  Edward Norton is excellent as the calm, calculating and brilliant Illusionist who never doubts for a moment in his power.  Paul Giamatti plays the chief inspector and it is a very different role for him that anything else he has ever been in.  As always, he rises to the challenge and delivers.  Jessica Biel and Rufus Sewell also lend great support.

The Illusionist has a dreamy, hynotic quality thanks to the beautiful cinematography by Dick Pope and a score by Philip Glass.  This is film entertaining in an old fashioned Hollywood sense of the word.  To me, that’s a big compliment.

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