Dark, dazzling turns by Edward Norton and Paul Giamatti, and Jessica Biel makes it achingly romantic. (as Oliver Blaha), Sobbing Woman As a film, The Illusionist is only occasionally interested in explaining many of its magic tricks.Because that’s not what it’s about. unit publicist: DDA Public Relations Ltd. production executive: Visionbox Media Group, business affairs coordinator (uncredited). Well, the scenery is very pleasant and this film would kill a couple of hours on a plane. With Edward Norton, Jessica Biel, Paul Giamatti, Rufus Sewell. Technical Specs, See agents for this cast & crew on IMDbPro, Movies Where the Criminal is Always 2 Steps Ahead, (short story "Eisenheim the Illusionist"), Aristocratic Boy Copyright © Fandango. (as Dusan Fager), Audience Member A wonderful period film first and secondarily an interesting mystery-romance that keeps you guessing about the big questions until late in the narrative. Movies. The legerdemain of The Illusionist is done with more finesse...it is that feeling of elation that makes it magic. and the Terms and Policies, By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy | Unabashedly old-fashioned and fantastically pulpy. senior vice president: DDA Public Relations Ltd. business & legal affairs executive: Yari Film Group (as Laine Kline), chief executive officer: Visionbox Media Group (as John Manulis), armorer: second unit (as Frantisek Mesicek), production secretary (as Marketa Porubova), business and legal affairs executive (as Daniel Stutz), completion bond: Film Finances Inc. (as Gregory Trattner). Don't have an account? Please enter your email address and we will email you a new password. (as Eva Kelemenova), Audience Member Forgot your password? A magical and engrossing experience where nothing is ever what it seems. The Illusionist (French: L'illusionniste) is a 2010 French-British animated film directed by Sylvain Chomet.The film is based on an unproduced script written by French mime, director and actor Jacques Tati in 1956. Really, really, dumb. and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes and Fandango. I can assure you, with all confidence, that the movie is dumb. The line between truth and illusion is blurred so persuasively that for a moment or two, you may even believe that a romantic costume drama could stand up to all those special-effects blockbusters in the dog days of summer. I've always been a fan of Norton and he again delivers a very good performance. read more: 10 Best Alfred Hitchcock Movies. post-production accountant: Post Accountants Inc. insurance: AON/Albert G. Ruben Insurance Services, assistant: Mr Burger (as Hanka Duplinska), assistant: Mr. London (as Juliana E. Farrell). An immaculate and utterly gorgeous murder mystery with the trifecta of wonderful direction, great acting, and a plot that twists and turns at every such occasion. | Set in early 20th-century Vienna, a stage magician uses his magic to win back the great love of his life from a brutal enemy, her fiance, who is also the powerful crowned prince of Austria. Menu. Official Sites assistant unit publicist: DDA Public Relations Ltd. post-production accountant: Post Accountants Inc. (as Kelli Gilliam Woolfolk), legal department assistant: Yari Film Group (as Richard Gold), title designer: main titles (as Pamela Green), production financing: ICB Entertainment Finance. Sign up here. Company Credits For a good while, The Illusionist is topflight entertainment, but viewers who can't anticipate the big twist should dig out those old Encyclopedia Brown paperbacks and begin rebuilding their sleuthing skills from there. The definitive site for Reviews, Trailers, Showtimes, and Tickets Norton and Paul Giamatti perform wonders, but writer/director Neil Burger ruins the magic, exposing all of his story's tricks by the end. All rights reserved. Get the freshest reviews, news, and more delivered right to your inbox! Rotten Tomatoes, home of the Tomatometer, is the most trusted measurement of quality for Movies & TV. Directed by Neil Burger. Filming & Production Release Dates | The Illusionist is a deceptively simple yet magical cinematic experience. If nothing else, The Illusionist is worth watching solely for Giamatti's Oscar-caliber performance. But I don't think I'd advise schlepping to the cinema rather than, say, staying at home for a nap then a bit of cheese. Director Neil Burger effectively evokes a sense of mystery and magic, but the plot grinds too methodically to match the dazzle of the title character's on-stage illusions. Sidney Poitier’s 7 Most Memorable Performances, All Harry Potter Movies Ranked Worst to Best by Tomatometer. Sewell is pretty good as the adversary and Paul Giamatti has a nice role as an inspector trying to uncover Eisenheim's secrets. In turn-of-the-century Vienna, a magician uses his abilities to secure the love of a … So, in short? Never quite the sum of its parts, this would-be intelligent thriller coasts by on strong supporting performances from Giamatti, Sewell and Biel.