Any good magician knows to keep the people enthralled; they must employ the art of misdirection -- to draw the attention from what’s going on in one hand while something is going on in the other. “The Illusionist” uses this tactic, with the help of a little movie magic, to captivate audiences and put on a show worthy of any Las Vegas act.
In Vienna, during the age of royalty and horses as a mode of transportation, a cabinet-maker’s son discovers a talent for magic. Edward (Matthew Blood-Smyth) hones his magical skills and attracts Sophie Von Teschen (Eleanor Tomlinson), a young duchess. A small romance blossoms, but the two are soon ripped apart because of their class differences.
Edward grows up, travels the world and adopts the name Eisenheim (Edward Norton). He returns to Vienna to put on a show of illusion and wonder. His act becomes very popular and Crown Prince Leopold (Rufus Sewell) decides to attend the event, but not just to watch. He wants to prove that Eisenheim is a fraud.
Leopold offers up his fiancée to act as an assistant for one of Eisenheim’s tricks. She turns out to be Eisenheim’s childhood friend Sophie (Jessica Biel). Their romance begins to rekindle, keeping it a secret is the problem. Leopold has Sophie followed at all times by Chief Inspector Uhl (Paul Giamatti) and his men. But even Uhl is intrigued by Eisenheim’s performances, he even asks for tips and the secrets behind a certain trick involving an orange tree.
A murder changes everyone’s perspective along with Eisenheim’s act. Instead of tricks using props, it’s just him and a chair onstage. He’s able to conjure up visions that have people believing him to be some sort of prophet. Leopold is not pleased, nor amused. His hatred toward Eisenheim grows exponentially and he keeps pushing Uhl to find something to arrest Eisenheim on.
With Steven Millhauser’s “Eisenheim the Illusionist” in hand, writer/director Neil Burger transforms a short story into a grand magic spectacle. Just shy of two hours long, “The Illusionist” captures viewers with a lush story line and some magic acts that a viewer only wishes they could witness live.
Present day magicians, or illusionists, focus more on daring escapes than the illusions. Eisenheim didn’t have to do much to make his viewers believe in what he was doing. Today’s audience sets out to figure out the trick -- because it’s all smoke and mirrors -- rather than be amazed at what they are seeing. With a movie like “The Illusionist,” no one can really sit there trying to figure out the trick; that’s what’s captivating. The characters try to figure it out for the movie-going audience and therefore the viewer can just enjoy.
Norton and Giamatti make a wonderful on screen pairing. Both with flawless accents and an uncanny ability to exude power through their performances, the two actors are in their element.
Beil shows she can hold her own acting-wise with the critically acclaimed actors. Her past roles haven’t shown off any acting prowess. With a few more roles like Princess Sophie, she could show she’s more than just a “7th Heaven” alumna.
With magic and movies, all the audience wants is entertainment. The movie keeps audiences guessing and waiting for the ultimate trick that will baffle and excite. “The Illusionist” and his act don’t disappoint.
Originally from Des Plaines, Ill., Heather moved to Milwaukee to earn a B.A. in journalism from Marquette University. With a tongue-twisting last name like Leszczewicz, it's best to go into a career where people don't need to say your name often.
However, she's still sticking to some of her Illinoisan ways (she won't reform when it comes to things like pop, water fountain or ATM), though she's grown to enjoy her time in the Brew City.
Although her journalism career is still budding, Heather has had the chance for some once-in-a-lifetime interviews with celebrities like actor Vince Vaughn and actress Charlize Theron, director Cameron Crowe and singers Ben Kweller and Isaac Hanson of '90s brother boy band Hanson.
Heather's a self-proclaimed workaholic but loves her entertainment. She's a real television and movie fanatic, book nerd, music junkie, coffee addict and pop culture aficionado.
