The Illusionist
SIFF's opening night film will be 'The Illusionist,' starring primarily Edward Norton and Paul Giamatti. I just saw the film's preview this afternoon, and think it will be a great way to open the festival this year. Not only is the film loaded with fine acting and excellent visuals, but also something more, something less tangible. In a way, the story of 'The Illusionist' escapes the confines of the screen and visits us in our seats. Ok, that sounds weird, but stay with me for a moment. (This is one of those films we were asked to hold full reviews on until it opens, but what I can say is this):
Edward Norton plays an illusionist in Vienna, circa 1900. We see much of his illusions taking place from the perspective of the audience, so it feels like we are there. I suspect that some reviews of Norton's acting will suggest that he doesn't give a lot to the role, or that he underplays his character. I think his subtle treatment of his character is incredibly well done, where a lesser actor would have over-acted the part. Paul Giamatti plays the Vienna Chief of Police, shadowing the Illusionist, trying to see if the illusions are real, or a fraud. There is much more to the story - love, lost love, a dubious and jealous Crown Prince, love found again, and lost again - 'Romantic Thriller' - that's the term I'm looking for. But it turns into a mystery along the way, and we are left to wonder about the illusions - are they in fact real?
The films' writer/Director Neil Burger does a great job transporting us back to a time not so long a go, when theater was THE form of entertainment, cinema was just being born, and people were much more apt to believe what they saw. The 'Phantasmagoria' illusions and magic lanterns which pre-date cinema were still very much alive back then. I suppose what made me love this film is that I really felt like I was in that audience, crowded into an old theater with gas lamps, waiting to see what illusion would come next. Did I mention that there is lots of action? And a love story? I really cannot write much more about it, but I will leave you with something I was reminded of - a scene from Cocteau's 'Orphee' - where Orpheus steps over to the other side to look for his lost love Euridice. That feeling of longing, and the desire to believe that love could really transcend the boundaries of time and space, even defy death. 'The Illusionist' worked for me because from the opening scene, we are led to believe that it might not be an illusion at all, but that what we are seeing is real magic. For me, that's what films are all about.
Edward Norton plays an illusionist in Vienna, circa 1900. We see much of his illusions taking place from the perspective of the audience, so it feels like we are there. I suspect that some reviews of Norton's acting will suggest that he doesn't give a lot to the role, or that he underplays his character. I think his subtle treatment of his character is incredibly well done, where a lesser actor would have over-acted the part. Paul Giamatti plays the Vienna Chief of Police, shadowing the Illusionist, trying to see if the illusions are real, or a fraud. There is much more to the story - love, lost love, a dubious and jealous Crown Prince, love found again, and lost again - 'Romantic Thriller' - that's the term I'm looking for. But it turns into a mystery along the way, and we are left to wonder about the illusions - are they in fact real?
The films' writer/Director Neil Burger does a great job transporting us back to a time not so long a go, when theater was THE form of entertainment, cinema was just being born, and people were much more apt to believe what they saw. The 'Phantasmagoria' illusions and magic lanterns which pre-date cinema were still very much alive back then. I suppose what made me love this film is that I really felt like I was in that audience, crowded into an old theater with gas lamps, waiting to see what illusion would come next. Did I mention that there is lots of action? And a love story? I really cannot write much more about it, but I will leave you with something I was reminded of - a scene from Cocteau's 'Orphee' - where Orpheus steps over to the other side to look for his lost love Euridice. That feeling of longing, and the desire to believe that love could really transcend the boundaries of time and space, even defy death. 'The Illusionist' worked for me because from the opening scene, we are led to believe that it might not be an illusion at all, but that what we are seeing is real magic. For me, that's what films are all about.
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