The Illusionist
With his eye on a lovely aristocrat, a gifted illusionist named Eisenheim uses his powers to win her away from her betrothed, a crown prince. But Eisenheim's scheme creates tumult within the monarchy and ignites the suspicion of a dogged inspector.
What critics thought
Generally well-received, Neil Burger's period mystery earns praise for its atmosphere and a trio of performances — particularly Paul Giamatti's divided police inspector and Edward Norton's inscrutably charismatic magician. Critics found it an engaging if not quite dazzling piece of craft, with the cinematography (Oscar-nominated) a consistent highlight, though the film rarely rises above handsomely mounted entertainment.
“a character who feels sympathy for the magician but owes allegiance to Leopold and is therefore divided and compromised ... Giamatti's performance is subtle, expressive, and richly nuanced”
Jonathan Rosenbaum·The Chicago Reader
“perfectly fits his disturbing inscrutability”
Stephen Holden·The New York Times
“The movie sets up a fascinating parable about art, religion and politics, and the misty boundaries between them”
Roger Ebert·RogerEbert.com
Accolades
Genres
Drama, Fantasy, Mystery
Cast & Crew
Neil BurgerDirector
Edward NortonEisenheim
Paul GiamattiInspector Uhl
Jessica BielSophie
Rufus SewellCrown Prince Leopold
Eddie MarsanJosef Fischer
Aaron Taylor-JohnsonYoung Eisenheim
Eleanor TomlinsonYoung Sophie
Jake WoodJurka
Tom FisherWilligut
Karl JohnsonDoctor / Old Man
Vincent FranklinLoschek
Nicholas BlaneHerr Doebler
Philip GlassComposerThe Illusionist
With his eye on a lovely aristocrat, a gifted illusionist named Eisenheim uses his powers to win her away from her betrothed, a crown prince. But Eisenheim's scheme creates tumult within the monarchy and ignites the suspicion of a dogged inspector.
What critics thought
Generally well-received, Neil Burger's period mystery earns praise for its atmosphere and a trio of performances — particularly Paul Giamatti's divided police inspector and Edward Norton's inscrutably charismatic magician. Critics found it an engaging if not quite dazzling piece of craft, with the cinematography (Oscar-nominated) a consistent highlight, though the film rarely rises above handsomely mounted entertainment.
“a character who feels sympathy for the magician but owes allegiance to Leopold and is therefore divided and compromised ... Giamatti's performance is subtle, expressive, and richly nuanced”
Jonathan Rosenbaum·The Chicago Reader
“perfectly fits his disturbing inscrutability”
Stephen Holden·The New York Times
“The movie sets up a fascinating parable about art, religion and politics, and the misty boundaries between them”
Roger Ebert·RogerEbert.com
Accolades
Genres
Drama, Fantasy, Mystery
Cast & Crew
Neil BurgerDirectorEdward NortonEisenheimPaul GiamattiInspector UhlJessica BielSophieRufus SewellCrown Prince LeopoldEddie MarsanJosef FischerAaron Taylor-JohnsonYoung EisenheimEleanor TomlinsonYoung SophieJake WoodJurkaTom FisherWilligutKarl JohnsonDoctor / Old ManVincent FranklinLoschekNicholas BlaneHerr DoeblerPhilip GlassComposer