The Illusionist

Director: Neil Burger
Actors: Edward Norton, Jessica Biel, Paul Giamatti
PlotIn early 20th century Vienna, a talented magician named Eisenheim mesmerizes audiences with seemingly impossible tricks. As a young man, Eisenheim fell in love with Sophie, a duchess well above his social standing. Their budding romance was quickly thwarted by societal norms, and they were forcibly separated. Years later, Eisenheim returns to Vienna and reignites his career as an illusionist, quickly drawing the attention of Crown Prince Leopold and Chief Inspector Uhl. The Crown Prince is intrigued but also deeply suspicious of Eisenheim’s abilities, perceiving them as a political threat to his authority.
Sophia re-enters Eisenheim’s life, now betrothed to the villainous Crown Prince, complicating matters further. As Eisenheim's performances continue to captivate and baffle the public, they become increasingly bold, raising tensions with the authorities. Inspector Uhl is tasked with unveiling Eisenheim’s secrets and intentions, while Eisenheim sustains a profound but perilous connection with Sophie. The unfolding events lead to a series of dramatic confrontations revolving around power, love, and deception, as Eisenheim seeks to expose the true nature of those who wield authority over him.
Writers: Neil Burger, Steven Millhauser
Release Date: 01 Sep 2006
Runtime: 110 min
Rating: PG-13
Country: United States, Czech Republic
Language: English
Physical Media Reviews
The Illusionist
Blu-ray Review
Score: 61
A visually captivating film with impressive cinematography and old-fashioned storytelling; MVD's Blu-ray offers similar quality to the original Fox release, with added supplements and subtitles. Recommended.