Review of The Illusionist (2006) by Yasmin Z — 05 Feb 2012

A magician never tells his secrets. Such is the code of the magician. And such is the case with The Illusionist. This movie is one of the rare gems of the non-blockbuster crop from 2006. There are secrets throughout the movie. While some were revealed, others were kept secret, leaving audiences to wonder how exactly the scenarios worked out. At the same time that those questions were raised, audiences were left with just enough answers to leave them satisfied.

Co-star Jessica Biel makes the statement in both of the "bonus features" (what little there is of them) that this movie isn't just romance. And in a way, she's right. While the main story is one of romance, it's unlike other romance movies in that the story's writer doesn't let it overpower the other elements of the movie.

The movie is a magical romance. But the romance is only part of what makes this story so enjoyable. There's also the scenes of the magic shows. They'll wow both adults and kids alike. There's something about not just the shows themselves, but also about the setting of the shows that draws the audience in and makes them want to watch. Whether it is the construction of the homes, or perhaps the lighting of the entire movie, the setting is stupendous. And there's something peculiar about the coloring of the film that really gives it an aged feel. That sepia tone-esque coloring adds even more to the movie. It makes it feel more realistic, along with the opening and closing effect of each scene as if the movie was actually made during the time period in question. The effect in question is one that was used on many silent movies around the turn of the century (early 19th Century).

The costumes are just as good as the scenery. They, like everything else in this movie, look as if they were right out of that time.

The chemistry between Edward Norton and Paul Giamatti makes the movie even more believeable. Many times, actors are teamed up on screen, and the lack of chemistry is painfully obvious. With these two, however, it is obvious that the chemistry was there, and that it worked very well.

The Illusionist is truly magic in many ways. It's magic in that the storyline keeps audiences mezmerized. It's also a movie about the magic of love, and about magic itself. It's definitely a movie that while it may or may not be forgotten in years to come, it will never disappear.