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First screened in Europe and scheduled for limited release in the U.S., The Illusionist offers welcome proof that "arthouse" quality needn't be limited to the arthouses. Set in turn-of-the-century Vienna, this stately, elegant period film benefited from a crossover release in mainstream cinemas, and showed considerable box-office staying power--granted, teenage mallrats and lusty males may have been drawn to the allure of Seventh Heaven alumna Jessica Biel, who rises to the occasion with a fine performance. But there's equal appeal in the casting of Edward Norton and Paul Giamatti, who bring their formidable talents to bear on the intriguing tale of a celebrated magician named Eisenheim (Norton) whose stage performance offends the Crown Prince Leopold (Rufus Sewell), a vindictive lout who aims to marry Duchess Sophie (Biel), Eisenheim's childhood friend and now, 15 years later, his would-be lover. This romantic rivalry and Eisenheim's increasingly enigmatic craft of illusion are investigated by Chief Inspector Uhl (Giamatti), who's under Leopold's command and is therefore not to be trusted as Eisenheim and Sophie draw closer to their inevitable reunion. Cleverly adapted by director Neil Burger from Steven Millhauser's short story "Eisenheim the Illusionist," and boasting exquisite production values and a fine score by Philip Glass, The Illusionist is the kind of class act that fully deserved its unusually wide and appreciative audience. -- Jeff Shannon Beyond The Illusionist 
"Eisenheim the Illusionist" and Other Stories | 
Paul Giamatti in a More Loveable Role | 
Magic Kits & Accessories | Stills from The Illusionist
| CATEGORY: | DVD |
| DIRECTOR: | Neil Burger |
| THEATRICAL RELEASE DATE: | 01 September, 2006 |
| MANUFACTURER: | 20th Century Fox |
| MPAA RATING: | PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested) |
| FEATURES: | AC-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC |
| TYPE: | Drama, Feature Film-drama, Movie |
| MEDIA: | DVD |
| # OF MEDIA: | 1 |
| UPC: | 024543402374 |
Related Products:
The Illusionist (Widescreen Edition) reviews by customers
 unbearable nonsense
this movie is so bad i could hardly keep watching it-- reallly bad dialogue- lighting like the sepia setting on yer digital camera--- all these actors can barely act anyway--- over rated ed norton & giametti-- these are posers not actors--- when u put lousy actors in a bad movie the costumes mustaches accents all become ludicrous and laughable--everyone showed up-- all dressed up-- and its the emporers new clothes--- not one scene rings true -- the completely lame & idiotic tricks the deadly boring actor norton does are all just stupid camera tricks and absurd--- the scenes between these two phony actors mumbling in their idiotic accents saying stupid things in portentous tones----just incredible---the soundtrack which comes in every now and then is unbearable and seems unrelated half the time to the action--which is non existent anyway-- all the sound effects are very annoying & jarring -- how anyone can take this idiocy seriously --is beyond imagining - the director seems esp incompetent-- camera work esp in the pathetic love scene --so sophomoric --i`ve never seen worse in over fifty yeras of watching movies---no chemistry going on between any of the actors--- norton `s performance is the biggest illusion here tho-- nothing he says seems real or heartfelt---i truly cant believe anyone was able to sit thru this ----- just unbearable-----in fact it was very annoying to try and watch this !!!!!!
 "Who Knows What Actually Happened?" ~ The Art Of Bending Nature's Laws
"Life and Death, Space and Time, Fate and Chance," what is reality and what is illusion? With its sepia-toned cinematography and lush turn-of-the-century Vienna setting `The Illusionist' presents to the audience a mesmerizing period piece that truly bends natures laws as it transports the viewer to another time, another place.
I was drawn into the landscape of this film in a way I haven't been in quite some time. Along with the magnificent setting and costumes there are some wonderful performances within. Edward Norton's intense, stoic presence and brooding passion for his childhood sweetheart is the heart and soul of this production, perfectly complimented by the lovely ethereal presence of Jessica Biel as his lifelong love, Sophie. The film also offers yet another amazing performance by Paul Giamatti as police inspector Uhl and a villainous and obsessive role perfectly delivered by Rufus Sewell as Crown Prince Leopold.
Now you see it, now you don't. My advice, SEE IT!
The Power of Love & the Mystery of Illusion.....
The Power of Love & the Mystery of Illusion Are Just Two Things That Make This a Great Film! I'd say the screenplay & storyline are fairly original to this movie as well. So many movies out there today are remakes of older films or so similar to other films that have been made, which makes "The Illusionist" refreshing. It is also refreshing to watch a movie that isn't based on using excessive violence, foul language, sex/nudity, or the same old silly slapstick that has become the norm for so many movies today.
The acting, costuming, and cinematography are also great in this movie too. "The Illusionist" is a well-rounded, must see movie!
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