The Illusionist

'An illusion of a great film'

First of all, yes. I still love Edward Norton, so be prepared for some Norton loving. Secondly, the subtitle might be misleading because I didn't hate this film at all. Lastly, Jessica Biel is still very hot indeed.

The Illusionist is a film that follows a love story between Edward Norton and Jessica Biel and how Norton seeks revenge upon her killer, the Prince of Wales, whom is planning to overthrow his father. Set as a period piece, the costumes and the architecture are well suited to the film. The real problem comes in the cinematagrophy. A lot of the film goes for the old footage look of the variable lighting on the film. This effect is achieved, usually very obviously, with CG effects and a sepia filter. The film tries so hard to recapture this effect that it can be very jolting and create the Verfremsdungeffekt of Brechtian lore. The only problem is that it isn't meant to because there is nothing to learn here. The film has no great meaning. No necessary truths that haven't been told before and it doesn't try to appear that way. Instead, it wants to entertain the audience with a great story and interesting characters. One of the greatest assets of the film is the script, as is the greatest flaw. The script keeps the pacing moving and provides a generic enough background in a manner that is amusing enough to be a good popcorn flick. The twists keep you guessing and even at the end, when the last twist is pulled you are so involved in the world of magic and who-dunit that you can't help but be amazed. With that said, when the last twist occurs, if you think about it, you can easily dislike the main characters. Everything they have done, all they have accomplished is suddenly rubbish and they are terrible people. I don't want to reveal the ending, but let us just say that despite the Prince of Wales being an absolute lout and murderous drunk, royal family murder was common back then and the fate he received was not deserved. Also, a bad idea was the late throw in of the line about democracy and its pitfalls before the Prince of Wales end. Now, however, I am interested in seeing The Prestige for a different view on this approach.

As for the actors, I need not praise Norton. It is well known by all that I love him and think he is a great actor. Sadly, this film doesn't seem to be his strongest work. Much of the film has him being too stoic. The relationship between he and Jessica Biel is believable in fits. Plus, his accent seems slightly off somehow. But, the biggest saving grace, is how well he sells the magic tricks and his disrespectful comraderie with Paul Giamatti's character. These two actors light up the screen and every glance is understood. It is known well before Giamatti ever admits it that he likes Norton's character. The film is worth watching just to see these two do their thing and it makes sense for Neil Burger to focus primarily on them. Giamatti does a great turn as a corrupt police chief who still has some morals. Even Giamatti's scenes with Rufus Sewell's prince vibrate with energy and a nervous passion. Speaking of which, Rufus Sewell, a man known for his villains, has done it again. It is not his most impressive villain, but it is a royal rogue well worth having. It is so easy to hate his character, that it makes the last twist permissible by most audiences probably. However, I would love to see one courageous film maker cast Sewell as a heroic lead and give him the chance to prove his acting chops as a leading man as I suspect he might have in him. Biel, who has professed a desire to do the film simply to do a period film and to go against her natural typecast, is the least likable part of the film. She is beautiful and it completely makes sense why Norton would fall in love with her, but she doesn't seem to make a lot of choices on the screen that don't come across as the, I'm-rich-and-female-without-a-way-to-defend-myself-so-protect-me-and-run-away-with-me variety. One side, I feel that the script just didn't allow her to do anything better with her limited screen time and the plot. However, knowing also that she had trouble holding up her end of the deal in making her affair with Norton believable (he had his problems too!) make me doubt if it was the script. Either way, her part seems mostly forgettable and could have been played by other actresses of the pretty type. Not a good thing. I like her, so I fervently hope her next role makes more of an impact on me than this one did. I might even say I liked her work in Blade: Trinity better.

Conclusion:
Featuring a great cast and plot based off of a short story by Steven Millhauser, The Illusionist is certainly worth a rent. Giamatti turns in another great performance. Norton flexes his acting chops decently well in something a little new for him and Rufus Sewell does what he does best. Biel's lackluster performance is generic so hat it isn't really bad, but not good either. The cinematography may drive you crazy but the films tricks are well done and it does capture a very Victorian turn of the century feel. I especially loved the touch of the ancient Eastern magic that influences Norton's character. For a sophomoric film effort, the first being Interview with the Assasin, Neil Burger creates a great entertaining film that is mindless but feels thought provoking all at the same time. Maybe that is the greatest illusion of all. Or maybe it is the fact that this is a period crime-thriller parading as a chick flick. Either way, it is very enjoyable. But the thought that the last twist negates the love of the characters that I had and feels slightly thrown in to stun audiences and only for that reason, make me slightly annoyed.

3.45 out of 5

Wannabe