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www.thecinemasource.com - : As Blanche DuBois once proclaimed in A Streetcar Named Desire, “I don’t want realism, I want magic!” It’s a sentiment echoed by the mystifying film The Illusionist, a tale of magic, romance and intrigue set in turn of the century Vienna. more...
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www.ericdsnider.com - : t has the trappings of romance, sure enough -- a turn-of-the-last-century Viennese setting, gorgeous period costumes, a lush Philip Glass musical score, and a plot involving star-crossed lovers from opposite sides of the tracks. more...
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www.boxoffice.com - : The always-dependable Edward Norton assumes the role of the titular magician who performs under the name Eisenheim. In turn-of-the-century, class-conscious Vienna, Eisenheim's wildly popular shows bring him face-to-face with his long-lost childhood love, the Duchess Sophie von Teschen (Jessica Biel), when she volunteers to participate in one of his onstage tricks. Forcefully separated during their youth because of differences in social status, the couple instantly and silently recognizes each other. The very grown-up Sophie, however, is now engaged to the volatile and megalomaniacal Crown Prince Leopold (Rufus Sewell), who is immediately suspicious of Eisenheim. Eisenheim's foil, police chief Inspector Uhl (Paul Giamatti), under the command of the prince and himself interested in uncovering the logical explanations behind the performer's complex illusions, begins to shadow Eisenheim. Eisenheim battles back by using the powers of his magic to draw attention to the prince's role in nefarious dealings more...
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Critic Reviews
