Few films leave a lasting impression in your mind when you walk out of the theatre. I would say "The Illusionist" definitely qualifies as one of them. It is truly a wonderful experience and one could not ask for a more apt title of the film.
The movie starts off with the arrest of the protagonist and then gets into flash back mode. As a kid he had come across an old man who had imparted some magical powers to him and disappeared. Ever since then, he started trying out different tricks and practice them whenever he got the chance. During one such evening on the street the young dutchess of Austria sees him and becomes curious. Over time they become very good friends and time and again he tries many of the tricks on her. In essence they become childhood sweethearts. However, she being a dutchess and he being a relatively "poor, ordinary" boy this friendship is unacceptable. One day he gives her a locket with his picture in it and while he was trying some tricks on her, her body guards come and take her away while she keeps telling her friend "make us disappear".
Shattered, young Edward Norton leaves town and travels to various continents around the world. He returns to his town Vienna, Austria after 15 years, under a new name "Eisenheim" and by now has become a renown magician and performs shows all over. All his shows are a huge success and the crown prince hears of him and decides to attend one of his shows with his "future wife". During this show the magician asks for a volunteer to participate in one of his acts and the crown prince tells his future wife- the dutchess to participate. Eisenheim immediately recoginizes his childhood sweet heart, who has grown into a beautiful young lady.
Soon, they become close again and decide to elope. However the crown prince finds out and the princess is found murdered. A cop who is friends with the crown prince is in charge of the case and is on the look out for the murderer. In time, a man is arrested and put behind bars, but is he the real murderer or is it just a way to hush up a much bigger plot? Is Eisenheim going to accept it? What will he do? The rest of the movie takes the audiance into the world of illusion where the line between reality and chimera is very thin. What happens in the ending..well you will have to watch that one.
I had loved Edward Norton’s performance in "Primal Fear" and I believe his performance in this film is outstanding as well. Norton portrays the title role of the film exceedingly well as Eisenheim the magician. He is one of those actors who emotes through his eyes and is an absolute delight to watch. Paul Giamatti as the cop is absolutely brilliant. I won’t be surprised if he takes home the Oscar for the Best Supporting actor. Jessica Biel as the dutchess does her job. Art direction is pretty good and film does manage to create an ambience of Vienna in the olden days. A must see for movie lovers!!