The Illusionist (Widescreen Edition)

Average customer rating: 4.5

The Illusionist
Great movie - great score!
An OK movie
Where are all the Awards?
To watch again and again

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The Illusionist (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Edward Norton , Paul Giamatti , Jessica Biel , Rufus Sewell , and Eddie Marsan
Director: Neil Burger
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
Product Group: DVD
Binding: DVD
ASIN: B000K7VHQ4
2007-01-09

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General

| Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Love & Romance

Biel, Jessica

Giamatti, Paul

Norton, Edward

Sewell, Rufus

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Amazon.com

First screened in Europe and scheduled for limited release in the U.S., The Illusionist offers welcome proof that "arthouse" quality needn't be limited to the arthouses. Set in turn-of-the-century Vienna, this stately, elegant period film benefited from a crossover release in mainstream cinemas, and showed considerable box-office staying power--granted, teenage mallrats and lusty males may have been drawn to the allure of Seventh Heaven alumna Jessica Biel, who rises to the occasion with a fine performance. But there's equal appeal in the casting of Edward Norton and Paul Giamatti, who bring their formidable talents to bear on the intriguing tale of a celebrated magician named Eisenheim (Norton) whose stage performance offends the Crown Prince Leopold (Rufus Sewell), a vindictive lout who aims to marry Duchess Sophie (Biel), Eisenheim's childhood friend and now, 15 years later, his would-be lover. This romantic rivalry and Eisenheim's increasingly enigmatic craft of illusion are investigated by Chief Inspector Uhl (Giamatti), who's under Leopold's command and is therefore not to be trusted as Eisenheim and Sophie draw closer to their inevitable reunion. Cleverly adapted by director Neil Burger from Steven Millhauser's short story "Eisenheim the Illusionist," and boasting exquisite production values and a fine score by Philip Glass, The Illusionist is the kind of class act that fully deserved its unusually wide and appreciative audience. -- Jeff Shannon

<span class="h1"><strong>Beyond The Illusionist</strong></span> <table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="4" cellpadding="4"> <tr align="center" valign="top" class="tiny"> <td width="33%"> <img src="http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/1564781828.01._PIlitb-st-arrow,TopLeft,-1,-14_OU01_AA100_SCTHUMBZZZ_.jpg" border="0">
"Eisenheim the Illusionist" and Other Stories</td> <td width="33%"> <img src="http://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/P/B0007TKOAA.01._SCTHUMBZZZ_.jpg" border="0">

Paul Giamatti in a More Loveable Role</td> <td width="33%"> <img src="http://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/P/B000JM4SZC.01-A2UYBBY6UM2B6P._SCMZZZZZZZ_V37922463_.jpg" border="0">
Magic Kits & Accessories </td> </tr> </table> <span class="h1"><strong>Stills from <I>The Illusionist</I></strong></span> <table border="0" cellpadding="4" width="100%" cellspacing="4">

</td> </tr> <tr align="center" valign="top"> <td><img border="0" src="http://g-images.amazon.com/images/G/01/dvd/trick.jpg">
</td> <td><img border="0" src="http://g-images.amazon.com/images/G/01/dvd/giamatti.jpg">
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Description

Unlock the mysteries of the year's most spellbinding film from the producers of Crash and Sideways! Oscar(r) nominees Paul Giamatti and Edward Norton lead an all-star cast in this "stunning" film (USA Today) that conjures an exhilarating blend of suspense, romance and mind-bending twists. The acclaimed illusionist Eisenheim (Norton) has not only captured the imaginations of all of Vienna, but also the interest of the ambitious Crown Prince Leopold (Rufus Sewell). But when Leopold's new fiancée (Jessica Biel) rekindles a childhood fascination with Eisenheim, the Prince's interest evolves into obsession...and suddenly the city's Chief Inspector (Giamatti) finds himself investigating a shocking crime. But even as the Inspector engages him in a dramatic challenge of wills, Eisenheim prepares for his most impressive illusion yet in this "mesmerizing" (Entertainment Weekly) and "beautifully acted" (Good Morning America) film that "teases you until the very end!" (The New York Times).

Customer Reviews:

The Illusionist.......2007-06-11

This is a wonderful movie. It keeps you guessing. It's the only Edward Norton movie I like. He is great in this role.

Great movie - great score!.......2007-06-10

Great acting, great script. The beautiful score by Phillip Glass and the stylistic cinematography took me back to the great horror films of the 1930's (though this should not be thought of as a horror film but a good mystery!) This one kept me guessing to the end. One of the best for me in the last year.

An OK movie.......2007-06-10

When you look at the cover of this film you would think it would be an instant classic by the paring of good story, Edward Norton, and Paul Giamatti. Unfortunately only Giamatti lived up to it.

The story trys to surprise and keep you guessing, but it fails. Each supposed twist in the tale you can easily predict. The romance aspect is hurried, and unimaginative.

The cinematography is beautiful. Watching each scene was visually interesting.

Edward Norton, though an excellent actor, was not on his game in this one. He just simply seemed bored through the whole movie.

Paul Giamatti on the other hand made his character very interesting and engaging. He played out his character's conflict very well. Giamatti is becoming on of those actors that you have to go see his movies just because he is in it. Fortunately he saves this movie from just being a pretty movie with a sub par plot.

This movie is good for a lazy cold night watching movies, and Giamatti is excellent, but if you want a masterpiece of mystery and magic, watch The Prestige.

Where are all the Awards?.......2007-06-10

This movie was truly Fantastic!

The storyline and characterization has been covered pretty thoughly in previous reviews. So I will focus more on the mechanics of the movie which is remarkable.

The storyline and plot where clear, tight and kept your attention. Not once will you find yourself questioning the relevance of certain scenes, actions, or dialog.
And it feels like ages since I have seen a movie/play where every single actor so completely complimented each others performance. Every scene was a finely tuned masterpiece.

Edward Norton, Paul Giamatti and Rufus Sewell put in consistently good performances in everything they do. To see how well these actors play off of each other emphasizes the quality of their craft and unfortunately they continue to be passed over by lesser performances in every award program that is out there!

I was absolutely mesmerized by this movie and disgusted that this movie when released did not recieve the promotion it deserved. The audiences where ripped off by being encouraged to see some mindless high budget piece of crap that is nothing more than a series of exploding car chases.

Please watch this movie, it is so VERY worth it!

To watch again and again.......2007-06-09

Very entertaining, twists and turns, set in a time when we can believe. Excellent actors that we all can enjoy and remember. A favorite to watch again and again.

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