Common Sense Media Review
Magic tricks and a murder mystery. Teens and up.
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Why Age 14+?
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The Illusionist
What's the Story?
The son of a cabinetmaker, young Edward Ambramovitz falls in love with a beautiful girl, Sophie. He charms her with his interest in magic and ornate devices, but because she's royalty, their friendship, even as it develops into young love, is forbidden. After they're dragged apart one night, he disappears, leaving Sophie to follow her fate, that is, to be married off in a royal arrangement. All this is revealed (as flashback) at the film's beginning by Viennese Police Inspector Uhl (Paul Giamatti), who is assigned by Crown Prince Leopold (Rufus Sewell) to discover the truth behind a mysterious magician called Eisenheim (young Edward grown up, played by Edward Norton). The prince is affianced to Sophie (now played by Jessica Biel), and means to contain the appeal of the showman. Not only does Sophie appear strangely drawn to him, but so do all his subjects. The film follows Uhl's investigation as it comes to encompass Sophie's bloody murder.
Is It Any Good?
A ravishing romance framed as a slow-moving mystery, THE ILLUSIONIST smartly questions the distinctions and overlaps between belief and truth. On one hand, it concerns a young couple whose love is denied by their class differences. In between, the film also looks at class and gender conflicts, with an acknowledgment of racism of the day (19th century Vienna).
Aided considerably by Philip Glass' typically swirling score, the film uses Uhl's skepticism to offset Edward's inscrutability and Sophie's passion, but all three characters live earnestly in a realm of faith and trust. While they all oppose the practical, egotistical prince by nature, they also fall under his rule. Leopold, by turn, hates their romanticism.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the appeal of magic shows and tricks: Why do the tricks fascinate us? How is it fun to try to figure out the deception (as the prince and the detective try to do)? How does the prince's presumption of his power make him seem selfish and greedy? How does the detective frame the story as an investigation, with his limited knowledge of events and motives?
Movie Details
- In theaters : August 18, 2006
- On DVD or streaming : January 9, 2007
- Cast : Edward Norton , Jessica Biel , Paul Giamatti
- Director : Neil Burger
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Yari Film Group
- Genre : Drama
- Run time : 110 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some sexuality and violence
- Last updated : September 26, 2024
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