Edward Norton stars as Eisenheim The Illusionist, a stage
magician whose magic act has taken 19th century Vienna by storm. His magic is
far beyond the pale of ordinary magician’s tricks. Not settling for pulling
rabbits out of hats, or sawing pretty assistants in half, Eisenheim bends his
audience’s minds by using butterflies to reveal a woman’s handkerchief, grow an
orange tree to full height within seconds right on stage, and conjuring a
spectral spirit that floats out of a mirror and over the audience’s baffled
heads. He’s become such a hit that the Crown Prince Leopold (Rufus Sewell)
himself as decided to attend one of Eisenheim’s shows with his fiancée.
When Eisenheim asks for a volunteer from the audience, the Crown Prince prods
his fiancée into going onstage. And when they come face to face, Eisenheim
realizes that this attractive woman is none other than his beloved Sophie
(Jessica Biel), the first and only true love of his life. He carries on with the
magic act, dazzling both the audience as well as the Crown Prince and his
entourage. After the show, Leopold invites Eisenheim to his manor for a private
command performance--an invitation which Eisenheim gladly accepts. Dazzling the
royal audience with an amazing trick that involves the Crown Prince’s own sword,
Eisenheim makes an enemy of the powerful Leopold, who orders Chief Inspector Uhl
(Paul Giamatti) to "shut him down."
To give away any more of this fascinating and absorbing story would be as wrong
as a magician giving away the secret of his tricks. Writer/Director Neil Burger has
crafted an intricate romantic/thriller/mystery (based on the short story
Eisenheim the Illusionist, by Steven Millhauser) that works spectacularly on all
levels. Edward Norton, who’s extremely charismatic and watchable as Eisenheim,
proves why he’s one of our finest screen actors working today. To pair him with
Giamatti, another marvelous actor who plays Uhl as a genuinely decent man, was
pure genius. Jessica Biel is very engaging as Sophie, a woman caught in the mire
of underhanded politics, and Rufus Sewell is superb as the boorish Leopold.
Burger has shot this film in a rich, exquisite style in the best tradition of
classic historical films. The special features are pretty slim, with just a
commentary and some token featurettes. Yet the compelling story will enrapture
viewers of all ages. Let The Illusionist work its magic on you.
--SF
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