Review of The Illusionist (1901) by Michele S — 27 May 2011

Sylvain Chomet is the genius behind "The Triplets of Belleville" and he has returned to delight us, this time working from a script by Jacques Tati. Chomet's films are animation for adults, and I can report that with "The Illusionist" (L'Illusionniste) he may have topped his previous effort. "Triplets" was a delight... kinky, surprising and humorous, and much of that remains, but this film, perhaps because of the superb script, has a depth of emotion that will take you off guard. It a wise little story that will leave you feeling enlightened, and more perceptive of the complexities of the human heart.

The illusionist of the title, M. Tatischeff, is a magician, working on the continent to dwindling audiences. The time is perhaps the 1950's. His type of entertainment has seen its day, so he crosses the English Channel to take a gig at a coastal Scottish inn. The innkeeper is coincidentally installing electricity the same night the magician performs. Alice, an immigrant servant girl working there, is so poor she doesn't have a decent pair of shoes. She is delighted by the magician's tricks, and he is taken by her innocence and kindness. He "conjures" up a pair of red shoes for her and they become friends. When he takes a train to look for work in Edinburgh, she follows him, expecting him to magically produce a ticket for her. He accepts Alice as his companion although they don't speak a common language. In the city, they take a room, living as father and daughter. Their adventures in Edinburgh make up the bulk of the film. These episodes involve his growing economic struggle, including the need to take a series of odd jobs; her desire to experience the fullness of life, her growing sophistication and the attentions of a young suitor; and their humorous interaction with many characters one of which is an unruly pet, the magician's "magic" white rabbit. The hotel they inhabit is full of colorful vaudeville types... bizarrely energetic acrobats, a ventriloquist and his dummy, and the saddest clown you could imagine. Every one of these is wonderfully written and drawn.

All is shown with the gentlest and most nostalgic of animation palettes. Sound and music are masterfully edited to match every mood. The movie is told cinematically, frequently cutting to long shots of the city, the sky, passersby... we literally "see" the passage of time with changing light and shadow, weather and scenery. Amazing angles and points of view! There is one unforgettable shot, for example, of Alice at the window, in the glass of which we see the reflections of passing birds. People wander into and out of a frame, all with the naturalness of a live action shot. Nothing is rushed or hurried, but neither does anything linger too long.

I hope I have not overwritten this review, but the experience of watching "The Illusionist" is a bit overwhelming. I hope to experience that pleasure again and again through the years. Nominated for an Academy award as best animation feature, this is a movie I would recommend without reservation. Enjoy it soon.

(Note to film buffs: At one point, one of the characters wanders into a movie theater in the city, and we are shown a snippet of Jacques Tati's classic, "Mon Oncle.").