The Illusionist

Starring Edward Norton, Paul Giamatti and Jessical Biel. Having heard people say this was a good movie, I'm temped to say film because of the illusions that are well crafted, I walked into the theatre with some expectation, and to that degree was not disappointed. The two hours went by unknowingly, although I do question the pace and length of the intro of young Eisenheim and young Sophie. The illusions themselves are definitely the highlight of the film, and I still puzzle at how some of the illusions was done such as the trick in the mirror. Of course, it's all science, light tricks, mechanical creations and sleight of hands that complement the ideas created as the film (alright I'll give in and refer to this one as a film) moves through the story and the conclusion is presented, we are all surprised as Paul Giamatti's inspector character when everything dawns upon us. My favorite "trick", not that it is one, is the locket that Eisenheim created for Sophie, the mechanism of it that turns an ordinary looking rectangular pendant into a heart. There is no supernatural power as Eisenheim tells the crowd, it's all an illusion, a trick, it's not real - but indeed it's the charm and power to enchant and mystify that captures audiences within the film and those outside of the film. If you like magic, mystery and perhaps a love story that is not too cheesy or emotional, this could be for you. On a side note, I was looking at the Georgia Straight for where this film and another one was opening and was surprised that this was only opening at Tinseltown and Fifth Avenue in Vancouver. On the opposite hand, the next film (which I'd actually seen prior to this), Bon Cop Bad Cop, a French Canadian film is opening in more theatres and in the more commercial theatres, not that this isn't a good thing because the film does have some Hollywood feel to it, albeit not too Canadian.