Review of The Illusionist (2006) by Eddie G — 30 Jan 2011

On my first viewing when the film first got out in the theaters, I wasn't really impressed, and I was afraid I was comparing too much to the movie I saw weeks before, Nolan's Prestige. So I just decided to go through the Illusionist again, and yet again I wasn't impressed, without frankly admitting that the film is, in fact, a good one.

Now how could I explain this contradictory introduction to my review :

Taking aside the very bad opening credits that would even seem too long if they were ending credits, the film opened well when Norton first appeared on screen, sitting on a chair creating an illusion. The thing is that the acting in the movie raised its level so much, with Norton, Giamatti and Jessica Biel all delivering superb performances, which really created a misdirection for the viewer from all the flows and plot holes in the film. The acting and the atmosphere created helped us enjoy the movie rather than be annoyed with its supernatural unrealistic plot.

Overall it's good, but not that good.

"Watching The Illusionist is like observing a magic act where the magician's sleight-of-hand isn't deft enough. The trick almost works, but not quite.".