Illusionist, The DVD Review

"The Illusionist" reviews

DVD

The Illusionist

Author

anonymous

Date reviewed

2007-07-06 14:50:23

Provider

DVD Review

The Illusionist's cinemas release was preceded by Christopher's Nolan's similarly-themed The Prestige by six months, but with a stellar cast - including Ed Norton and Paul Giamatti - there's no reason why this particular supernatural magician thriller should suffer on DVD.

It tells the tale of Eisenheim (Norton), a carpenter who abandons his aristocratic childhood sweetheart Sophie (Jessica Biel) to become an illusionist in Vienna. A few years later they meet again (during an on stage illusion of course), and sparks fly once more. Sophie is all set to marry the nasty crown prince Leopold (Rufus Sewell). So they hatch a plot to try be together again, by faking Sophie's death and blaming Leopold, ensuring that Inspector Uhl (Giamatti) overhears. However, will the police believe the crown prince is capable of murder or is there another twist or three in the reckoning?

Based on a short story, the film does seem a tad drawn out but its unusual premise, captivating intrigue and plot twists enables it to recover from a slow start. Norton, Biel and the reliable Giamatti all give good performances.

Includes director's commentary and Making of The Illusionist (which doesn't feature any revelations that will upset the Magic Circle!).