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The Illusionist February 13, 2007 |
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Recently released on DVD, Edward Norton gives another stellar performance in his already accomplished acting career, this time playing a turn-of-the-century stage magician named Eisenheim, who draws the attentions of the evil Crown Prince of Austria when the Prince’s fiancé (Jessica Biel) begins a secret love affair with the illusionist. 2006 was notable for fans of films about old timey magicians (and I know there is a closet cinematic magician fan in all of us), what with this tricky film by Neil Burger, and the even better “The Prestige” from Christopher Nolan, two films that use the art of the illusion, and the intense perfectionism of the performer, as the basis for studies of rivalry, fascination with the seemingly unexplainable, and in this case, forbidden love. If Edward Norton and an exotically beautiful Jessica Biel weren’t enough, the always-great Paul Giamatti co-stars as the Chief of Police who is ordered by the Prince to take down Eisenheim, but as a fan of the magician’s tricks, is conflicted between duty and what is ultimately right. by Adam Suraf
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