Review of The Illusionist (2006) by Panta O — 19 Oct 2013

I am not sure how did I missed this film in the cinemas and later on DVD, but I am glad that my Chinese cable provider got it... I really enjoyed it! This period drama/mystery written and directed by Neil Burger and starring Edward Norton, Paul Giamatti, and Jessica Biel kept me to the screen the entire 110 minutes. The screenplay is based loosely on Steven Millhauser's short story, "Eisenheim the Illusionist". The film tells the story of Eisenheim, a magician in fin de siècle Vienna, who uses his abilities to secure the love of a woman far above his social standing. The film also depicts a fictionalized version of the Mayerling Incident. I am happy to hear that the film was a commercial and critical success - I wish there are more like it.

The beginning of the movie takes us to Vienna, Austro-Hungarian Empire, 1889. The film begins in medias res as Chief Inspector Walter Uhl (Paul Giamatti) of the Vienna Police announces the arrest of Eisenheim (Edward Norton) during what appears to be necromancy passed off as a magic show. Later, he recounts the story of Eisenheim's life for Crown Prince Leopold (Rufus Sewell). Eisenheim (Aaron Johnson) was born the son of a peasant cabinetmaker in a rural village, and as a teenager, meets a traveling magician who performs several tricks for him. Eisenheim becomes obsessed with magic tricks after this. He also falls in love with Sophie, the Duchess von Teschen (Jessica Biel), a noblewoman well above his social class. Although the two are forbidden to see each other, they meet secretly until at last they are caught and forcefully separated. He comes back after many years and the mystery starts to unveil!

I love well made historical movies which are careful about the details - and this one was one of them. Although the film is set in Austria, it was filmed mostly in the Czech Republic. The city of Vienna is represented in the movie by those of Tábor and Prague, while the scenes set in Eisenheim's childhood village were shot in ?eský Krumlov. The Crown Prince's castle is actually the historical fortress of Konopit? (located near Beneov), formerly the home of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria. The front gates of Leopold's Vienna palace were actually the front gates of Prague Castle. All other shots were at Barrandov Studios in Prague... everything was a real feast for my eyes!

If you like engaging mystery which makes you think, like good acting (Giamatti's performance is smooth, expressive, and rich, and Edward Norton is so cool with Jessica Biel that I hope they will work together again), excellent directing and very intriguing screenplay, please, check this one.