The Illusionist (2006)

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Written by Neil Burger, Steven Millhauser

Directed by Neil Burger

Running Time: 109 minutes (approx)

Production Year: 2006

Rating: PG Certificate

Production Country: Czech Republic/USA

Filmed in Colour

In turn-of-the-century Vienna, beautiful aristocrat Sophie Von Teschen (Jessica Biel) is pushed to appear onstage with magician-of-the-moment Eisenheim (Edward Norton, pictured) by her vain fiancé, Crown Prince Leopold (Rufus Sewell).

What Leopold doesn't know is that Sophie and Eisenheim were childhood sweethearts, but there's no mistaking the sparks that fly when the two are reunited during the performance. His suspicions aroused, Leopold orders police inspector Uhl (Paul Giamatti) to discredit Eisenheim, but the more he discovers about Eisenheim, the more Uhl comes to believe that the magic man has a real gift.

Despite being somewhat overshadowed by the release of Christopher Nolan's high-gloss magic drama The Prestige, Burger's film should not be overlooked.

Norton and Giamatti may not have the super powers of Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale to attract a blockbuster-loving audience, but they know how to pull a fine performance out of the hat. A beautiful example of first-rate film-making.

Cast

Image for Edward NortonEdward NortonEisenheim
Image for Paul GiamattiPaul GiamattiInspector Uhl
Image for Jessica BielJessica BielSophie
Image for Rufus SewellRufus SewellCrown Prince Leopold
Image for Eddie MarsanEddie MarsanJosef Fischer
Image for Jake WoodJake WoodJurka
Tom FisherWilligut
Image for Aaron JohnsonAaron JohnsonYoung Eisenheim
Eleanor TomlinsonYoung Sophie
Karl JohnsonDoctor/Old Man
Vincent FranklinLoschek
Nicholas BlaneHerr Doebler
Philip McGoughDr. Hofzinser
Erich RedmanCount Rainer
Michael CarterVon Thurnburg

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