The Illusionist (2006)

[VampAurora]

Storyline:
In late nineteenth century Vienna, renowned illusionist Eisenheim is reunited with the Duchess von Teschen when she is volunteered from the audience to participate in an illusion during one of his performances. Despite having not seen each other in fifteen years when they were teenagers, they almost immediately recognize each other as Eduard Abramovich and Sophie von Teschen, they who had a doomed romance at that time due to their class differences. The Duchess is soon to be wed to the Crown Prince Leopold in what would be for him a marriage solely in pursuit of power: overthrowing his father, the Emperor Leopold, as well as overtaking the Hungarian side of the empire. The Crown Prince is known to use violence against women if it suits his needs or purposes. As such, the Duchess, who realizes that she still loves Eisenheim and he her, can never leave the Crown Prince without it jeopardizing her life...

Additional Information:

Directed by: Neil Burger
Produced by: Brian Koppelman, David Levien, Michael London, Cathy Schulman, Bob Yari
Written by: Steven Millhauser (Short story), Neil Burger (Screenplay)

Starring: Edward Norton, Paul Giamatti, Jessica Biel, Rufus Sewell, Eddie Marsan, Eleanor Tomlinson
Music by: Philip Glass
Cinematography: Dick Pope

Editing by: Naomi Geraghty
Studio: Bob Yari Productions, Contagious Entertainment
Distributed by: Yari Film Group Releasing, 20th Century Fox (DVD)
Release date: August 18, 2006

Running time: 110 minutes
Country: United States
Language: English
Budget: $17 million
Box office: $87,892,388

Critiques:

"Deserved an end-of-the-year prestige release, is a true work of art in a marketplace filled with velvet paintings. It's positively magical, the reason we loved movies in the first place." Lou Lumenick, New York Post

"A lush piece of romanticism." Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

"Beautifully acted and handsomely mounted, this gorgeous period piece is an intelligent and intriguing exploration of "the dark arts" -- less dependent on mere hocus-pocus than on the convincing journey of the soul undertaken by its hero." Bill Gallo, Village Voice

"The Illusionist casts an exquisitely bewitching spell with its dreamy atmosphere and pervasive sense of suspense." Claudia Puig, USA Today

[VampAurora]

VampAurora's Critique:

What can one say about this movie? A true masterpiece. Marvelous scenario, great effects and lightning, epic acting and a feeling of suspense that stuns you. Unspeakable performance by Edward Norton. It's one of the movies you just can't have missed; I suggest you go grab and see it right now.

Rating: 9.5/10

[tan.]

very nice movie i loved Edward Norton on this movie as always his play was wonderfull