Love and Magic

The Illusionist is a must-see movie. It is the ultimate in escape movies.

Do not compare it with ‘The Prestige’ which is more star-studded and much publicised. Whereas the cat-and-mouse rivalry between the two competing magicians are blatantlyexhibited in The Prestige, here the rivalry is more sublime and tastefully concealed.

The quality of the magic here is much more mystifying and intriguing. It is not limited to illusion on the stage for the whole movie is one huge illusion that will catch you unawares just like it did the Chief of Police, Url. You will laugh with joy in your heart just like Url as Eisenham made us all to feel like joyful suckers.

Set in a bygone era in Vienna, this is an extremely satisficing love story,if there ever was one. It demonstrates the strategies that Eisenham employed to get back Sophie from the clutches of the Crown Prince of Austria. Born a a lowly cabinet-maker’s son, Eisenham becomes a world class illusionist and used all that is within him to battle the overwheming difficulties and powers to get back the love of his life. Contrary to critics, I can see magic in the wonderful performances by both Edward Norton and Jessica Biel. Biel performs as wonderfully as Johanssen in The Prestige.Exciting from the opening scene, it moves from scene to scene until the coup de grace at the end.

Simple story telling with a well crafted script. Tight screenplay and editing-not a single second of boredom. Bizarre special effects. Very entertaining. You must go and see it!

Heartsong