This gorgeous, sepia-toned period piece has a trick not far up its sleeve, said Gary Thompson in the Philadelphia Daily News. 'œDon't be surprised if you spot the illusion behind The Illusionist about an hour before you're meant to.' But here's the real shocker—it doesn't matter. Nothing can disrupt the flow of this movie, whose story is as brilliant as its portrayal of early 20th-century Vienna is beautiful. Edward Norton plays Eisenheim, a magician so good at his craft that his followers believe he has power over life and death, said Michael Sragow in the Baltimore Sun. When Prince Leopold (Rufus Sewell) learns of the love between Eisenheim and his own betrothed, Duchess Sophie (Jessica Biel), he orders his Chief Inspector Uhl (Paul Giamatti) to expose the fraud behind the illusionist's tricks. The fairy-tale scenes that follow 'œsummon the satisfying emotions of old storybooks.' Ghostly figures send tingles up the spine, and satisfying love scenes warm the belly. But none of director Neil Burger's magic would succeed without his excellent cast, said Michael Phillips in the Chicago Tribune. Norton's squinty eyes hide secrets, and Giamatti 'œmanages a witty variation on the authority figures Claude Rains used to play.' But Jessica Biel is the real dazzler, and not just because of her semi-nude scene. Turns out the star of Texas Chainsaw Massacre has the chops to stand out, even in a movie as good as this one.
Rating: PG-13
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