The Illusionist (2006)

Calificación de los usuarios:

7.7/10   

Director:

Neil Burger

Escritores (WGA):

Neil Burger (screenplay)
Steven Millhauser (short story "Eisenheim the Illusionist")

Fecha de Lanzamiento:

1 septiembre 2006 (USA)

Género:

Drama | Misterio | Romance | Suspenso

Frase comercial:

Nothing is what it seems

Plot:

In turn-of-the-century Vienna, a magician uses his abilities to secure the love of a woman far above his social standing.

Plot Keywords:

Vienna | Magician | Love | Crown Prince | Magic

Premios:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 5 wins & 5 nominations

Comentarios de los usuarios:

This is not a Review. This is only an Illusion.

Reparto

Edward Norton	...	Eisenheim
Paul Giamatti	...	Inspector Uhl
Jessica Biel	...	Sophie
Rufus Sewell	...	Crown Prince Leopold
Eddie Marsan	...	Josef Fischer (as Edward Marsan)
Jake Wood	...	Jurka
Tom Fisher	...	Willigut
Aaron Johnson	...	Young Eisenheim
Eleanor Tomlinson	...	Young Sophie
Karl Johnson	...	Doctor / Old Man
Vincent Franklin	...	Loschek
Nicholas Blane	...	Herr Doebler
Philip McGough	...	Dr. Hofzinser
Erich Redman	...	Count Rainer
Michael Carter	...	Von Thurnburg

También conocida como:

El ilusionista (Argentina) (Mexico) (Spain) [es]

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some sexuality and violence.

Duración:

110 min

País:

Czech Republic | USA

Idioma:

Inglés

Color:

Color

Relación de Aspecto:

1.85 : 1

Sonido:

SDDS | Dolby Digital

Clasificación:

USA:PG-13 | Netherlands:12 | Finland:K-11 | Argentina:Atp | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:PG | Brazil:14 | Ireland:12A | UK:PG | France:U | Singapore:NC-16 (DVD rating) | Canada:G (Quebec) | South Korea:15 | Australia:M | Denmark:11 | Norway:11 | Sweden:7

Locaciones de Filmación:

Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic

Compañía:

Bull's Eye Entertainment

Trivialidades:

When Prince Leopold is approached by Inspector Uhl, while hunting, to inform him of Eisenheim and Sophie's meetings, the Prince asks what they were seen doing together. The line about if they were seen "fornicating" was originally filmed as him saying "fucking" instead. They dubbed in the word "fornicating" to avoid an R-Rating in compliance with the MPAA's policy that the f-word not be used in reference to intercourse in a PG-13 film.

Errores:

Incorrectamente calificados como errores: When Inspector Uhl is investigating Eisenheim's latest illusion of summoning spirits, one of his aides shows an early turn-of-the-century movie projector portraying a color/sepia-based image of a person. Turn-of-the-century film was often hand-colorized using stencil methods. Georges Méliès's fantasy shorts used that method. Several genuine color film technologies were also in use by the early 1920's.

Citas:

Eisenheim: [Angrily] Are you completely corrupt?
Chief Inspector Uhl: No, not completely, which is why I'll advise you not to accuse anyone.

Conexiones de Película:

Referenced in "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson: (#3.6)" (2006)

This is not a Review. This is only an Illusion.

"The Illusionist" is a unique film that combines two often stale genres into something fresh: the lush romantic period piece and the "AHA!" mystery thriller (a genre M. Night Shamalyan has single-handedly run into the ground recently). Helmed by a first time director (Neil Burger), based on a short story, and featuring an eclectic cast, "The Illusionist" had the perfect set-up to be a monumental disaster. With a graceful slight-of-hand, it ends up being something very good.

As with any run-of-the-mill period piece, there's a lavish attention to the set designs and costumes, here representing late nineteenth century Vienna. Director Burger puts a nice spin on the same-old, same-old with an acute attention to lighting (especially in the dreamily over-exposed flashbacks) and old fashioned camera techniques (witness the circular camera's eye closing to transition from scenes) to give the film the feel of being a fond memory of a classic movie from a bygone era.

The central romance where Edward Norton's title character and Jessica Biel's Dutchess are star-crossed lovers kept apart because of class and society, had all the makings of a snore-inducing cheese-athon. Executed in an understated manner that services the greater plot, it ends up being anything but. Norton's performance, especially in the second half of the film when he turns into a man of very few words, had the potential to be one-note. As an actor, he speaks volumes with his eyes. Biel, a former teen idol and TV star, seemed a horrific choice for this role. She pulls of the nifty trick of being quite good. Even better are Rufus Sewell as the tyrannical crown-prince and Paul Giamatti as the chief inspector. Using a short story as the source material, characterizations had the potential to be paper-thin, but these seasoned veterans make the most of their lines and scenes adding terror, humor, and gravitas through their vocal and physical deliveries where lesser actors would've been wooden and cold. The entire cast also worked together very well utilizing their odd, vaguely European and aristorcatic accent. Everyone used it so consistently and earnestly, it didn't seem to matter after awhile that the accent was unnecessary.

A more over-eager or pretentious director may have completely sabotaged the fantastic ending to "The Illusionist" and cheated the audience. Handled deftly by Burger, the grande finale where "all is revealed" is a wholly organic and satisfying conclusion that rewards the patient viewer and fulfills the lofty promises of the themes presented throughout the work.

"The Illusionist" boasts an excellent music score from minimalist composer Phillip Glass that easily rivals his great work done in "Candyman" and "The Hours." Norton and Giamatti treat us to some of the best "staring" since the days of silent films. The look on Giamatti's face and the positioning of his raised eyebrows as he watches Norton perform his illusions coupled with Norton's eyes as he pulls off his tricks are priceless.