Review of The Illusionist (2009) by Ela T — 26 Feb 2011

As a fan of silent comedic expression films like Charlie Chaplin and especially Jacques Tati, this is very much close as seeing a Jacques Tati's film made in modern time and it is truly a gem. From I read about the production, this was essentially an unproduced script by Tati, which was a love letter to his estranged daughter and the film acts as a double statement between the end of stage entertainers and a poignant look of a father/daughter relationship.

Director, Chomet, was able to get the main character to look and act like Tati and the animation are just very detailed and beautiful to look. I would come with a warning that it is a slow film with almost no dialogue, so if you're not a fan, stay away.

But that is really the beauty and full realization of animation that the focus is more on the art and expression and it is such a refreshing thing to see. The amazing thing is that the film is a mix of beauty and bleakness, you really observe the slow dying change of an era for one group of people and it ends harshly, but kinda realistic.

If you are a real animation lover like me, go and see this film.