[attrition] review: Movie: The Illusionist

[lyger]

http://attrition.org/movies/illusionist.html

The Illusionist
2006
Czarina

Movies at their core are illustrated illusions, celluloid chimeras, and 
digital deceptions. We go to the theaters to watch what we already know is 
not real; even if it is "based on a true story or actual events," we know 
that someone else is in control of both the vertical and horizontal. 
People happily pay good money to be lied to, which is about the only time 
that people will do so without filing a complaint with the local BBB or 
news channel consumer action reporter.

So, keeping this in mind, I will look at The Illusionist, a film that 
proves to be quite enjoyable; although it doesn't look like much at the 
beginning, it slowly turns into an enchanting and magical film. With solid 
performances from the entire cast, this tale encases a story of forbidden 
love and one man's attempt to reclaim it.

In turn-of-the century Vienna, an extraordinary magician, known only as 
Eisenheim (Edward Norton), has enraptured the city with his wondrous 
talent at sleight of hand. Eisenheim is no stranger to the town, as he 
spent his formative years there but hastily quit the city when his 
forbidden love with the aristocratic Sophie (Jessica Biel) was discovered 
by the girl's mother, who did not want her to consort with someone below 
her station. Eisenheim, not of blue blood, loses the one thing in life 
that he treasures most, and with nothing left to tie him to Vienna, he 
treks the globe and learns the art of legerdemain.

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