THE ILLUSIONIST (DVD Review) - 30/8/09

Okay - So jumping back to 2006 when 'The Prestige' came out it's often poorer cousin (More like a very distant relation!) was 'The Illusionist' which had been on the back-burner waiting for me to get around to viewing it. A pitch perfect role for Paul Giamatti who steals every scene he is in against a somewhat restrained Edward Norton. In fact a perfect set piece is when Giamatti (As Inspector Uhl) and Norton (As Eisenheim) meet for the first time. Eisenheim shows Uhl a trick and although held back you hear a clipped accent that Norton is putting on very well in character. Giamatti's response comes back in a velvet tone as he purrs his delight. With the addition of Rufus Sewell and Jessica Biel the main leads are all fleshed out.

Starting out as a testament to illusion and the old style of filming process we begin with a childhood romance gone awry. Jumping forward fifteen years we have the fabled illusionist 'Eisenheim' take to the stage in Vienna. Then murder, scandal and politics takes it toll in this period drama as revenge rear's it's ugly head.

Special Features light on the ground with this one: Just a Director's Commentary, Trailer & Making Of Feature. Watch out for the Easter Egg though - Because that runs down a small list of tricks and how to do them.



POPCORN RATING: