More movie magic
Got a chance yesterday to watch The Illusionist, starring Edward Norton, Paul Giamatti, and Jessica Biel. Having just watched The Prestige, I was unsure if I was ready for another movie about magicians, but I was pleasantly surprised by this film.
Here's the skinny: Eisenheim (Norton), a magician, arrives in Vienna with his manager and opens a show. Audiences are astounded by the illusions he performs - making an orange tree grow before their eyes, levitating things, etc. Hearing of these magnificent feats from an impressed Inspector Uhl (Giamatti), the Crown Prince (Rufus Sewell) decides to attend a performance, bringing with him his soon-to-be fiancee Sophie (Biel). (Unbeknownst to the Crown Prince, Eisenheim and Sophie were in love as youngsters.) Convinced that he can debunk Eisenheim's tricks, the Crown Prince demands a private royal performance, and the magician obliges. However, once gathered before the royalty and the court, the Crown Prince is unable to explain away Eisenheim's masterful illusions.
Perturbed by the magician, the Crown Prince sends Inspector Uhl to find out more about this magician and how he performs such wonders. During the investigation, Uhl himself develops a healthy respect for Eisenheim, even as he learns that the magician has rekindled his affair with Sophie.
Although you'll see the ending coming, this is a great movie. What makes it worth it: the performances of Norton and Giamatti. (Particularly, Norton's magician in mourning is fabulous. I only wish that being separated from me could inspire such anguish in a man.) The effects in Eisenheim's stage shows are nice as well, and I like it that the magician's secrets are not divulged. Also, I love how the script comments on philosophy, not just magic. Eisenheim introduces each trick with a rather philosophical exposition, which serves as set-up, distraction, and fodder for the mind. The movie plays with the notion of death, the idea of truth and falsehood (i.e. fraud), topics of politics/power, and the significance of public opinion.
Here's the skinny: Eisenheim (Norton), a magician, arrives in Vienna with his manager and opens a show. Audiences are astounded by the illusions he performs - making an orange tree grow before their eyes, levitating things, etc. Hearing of these magnificent feats from an impressed Inspector Uhl (Giamatti), the Crown Prince (Rufus Sewell) decides to attend a performance, bringing with him his soon-to-be fiancee Sophie (Biel). (Unbeknownst to the Crown Prince, Eisenheim and Sophie were in love as youngsters.) Convinced that he can debunk Eisenheim's tricks, the Crown Prince demands a private royal performance, and the magician obliges. However, once gathered before the royalty and the court, the Crown Prince is unable to explain away Eisenheim's masterful illusions.
Perturbed by the magician, the Crown Prince sends Inspector Uhl to find out more about this magician and how he performs such wonders. During the investigation, Uhl himself develops a healthy respect for Eisenheim, even as he learns that the magician has rekindled his affair with Sophie.
Although you'll see the ending coming, this is a great movie. What makes it worth it: the performances of Norton and Giamatti. (Particularly, Norton's magician in mourning is fabulous. I only wish that being separated from me could inspire such anguish in a man.) The effects in Eisenheim's stage shows are nice as well, and I like it that the magician's secrets are not divulged. Also, I love how the script comments on philosophy, not just magic. Eisenheim introduces each trick with a rather philosophical exposition, which serves as set-up, distraction, and fodder for the mind. The movie plays with the notion of death, the idea of truth and falsehood (i.e. fraud), topics of politics/power, and the significance of public opinion.
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