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The illusionist is a romantic mystery film starring Edward Norton, Paul Giamatti and Jessica Biel in main roles. Plot: The film opens up with the arrest of Eis

The Illusionist Movie Review

The Illusionist Movie Review English
Review for the film " The Illusionist"
Streaming On: Netflix
Runtime: 1 Hour 50 Minutes
Certificate: UA
Released: 18-08-2006
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Romance
3 / 5.0
3.34 / 5.0

The illusionist is a romantic mystery film starring Edward Norton He is known to be one of the actors that possess p >> Read More... , Paul Giamatti Paul Giamatti is an American actor. He was born in >> Read More... and Jessica Biel Jessica Biel is an American actress. She was born >> Read More... in main roles.

Plot: The film opens up with the arrest of Eisenheim (Edward Norton) by Chief Inspector Walter Uhl (Paul Giamatti) in Vienna, Austria- Hungary. Uhl then recalls the past of Eisenheim to Crown Prince (Rufus Sewell). Eisenheim was born to a peasant cabinet-maker and was drawn towards magic when he comes in contact with a travelling magician as he performs trick to impress him with it. He also falls in love with Sophie the Duchess of Treschen who also reciprocates his feelings back. They have a great friendship which converts to love but they are separated from each other.

Eisenheim travels the world to learn magic and returns back after a span of 15 years, during one of his show he encounters Sophie his childhood love and later on comes to know that she is about to marry Prince Leopold who actually is a brutal prince who is known for a violent past with women. Later, Leopold himself arrives at a magic show hosted by Eisenheim and has himself humiliated from him, enraged he bans Eisenheim from performing any shows at Vienna. Sophie too now loathes Leopold so much that she thinks of leaving him, when Leopold comes to know this he thinks of killing her, Later Eisenheim is pained to see the body of Sophie lying still and pale. To teach Leopold a lesson he engages in some sort of necromancy which is the magic of bringing dead people back.

Leopold sneaks into this too and thus gets trapped in the illusion of Eisenheim. Actually, Eisenheim had created illusion which makes people perceive the unexisting, thus he tricks Leopold and now everyone knows of his treachery and killing. Realising his game is up, Leopold tries to shoot Eisenheim but Chief Inspector intervenes, unable to bear the shame Leopold shoots himself thus bringing an end to his treacherous self. Later Chief Inspector realizes that Eisenheim again outclassed all of them with an illusion as a boy hands him over the information that Sophie was not actually dead but had gone forever with Eisenheim to start a new life of their own.

Analysis: Illsuionist sure is a delightful movie which really has the strength to pin you down to your seats. Edward Norton was rightfully chosen for this role as only he could pull the role of Eisenheim off. Based on a novel, Illusionist surely makes you feel the deception that comes in handy when needed for the right reasons. Nice plot, good screenplay, charming cinematography is what this movie has in store for you.

Star Performances: Edward, Jessica, Newell have portrayed the character just as they were required to be. Edward Norton’s nonchalance, Jessica’s innocence and love for the protagonist, Newell’s evil acts should be applauded. To say they have justified their acts and made the story conclude the way it should have been.

What's there?

• Nice storyline.

• Acts have been kept simple but powerful.

• Top acts by main actors.

• A perfect conclusion that satisfies you.

What's Not There?

• Movie lags a little bit post interval and struggles between characters.

Verdict: Illusionist is a must watch if you want to see some magic with deception and how it helps a simple man grow into smart ass and outwit the evil through his illusions.


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