Movie Review: The Illusionist

Credit: Amazon

The Illusionist, which premiered in 2006, is a romantic mystery directed by Neil Berger and based on the Steven Millhauser short story, “Eisenheim the Illusionist.” The film stars Edward Norton, Paul Giamatti, Jessica Biel, and Rufus Sewell.

The audience is taken on a journey traversing class division through the lives of an insecure control freak, a “not completely corrupt” law man, and a beautiful duchess. This movie is relevant even today, as women are still striving to have the freedom to control their own lives.

I keep coming back to The Illusionist, having seen it dozens of times, because of the mystery, the fairy tale quality, the award-winning cinematography, and music by Philip Glass. 

Edward, a cabinet maker’s son, meets Duchess Sophie.  They become childhood friends, against the wishes of Sophie’s family.  

At the age of 16, Edward is driven out of town by Sophie’s guardians. Edward travels the world learning the craft of magic to be an illusionist. Meanwhile, Sophie is raised to be a duchess. 

Years later Edward performs in Vienna, and Sophie attends his performance along with Leopold, the Crown Prince, to whom she is promised.

Edward and Sophie’s friendship rekindles. She realizes how trapped she feels in her life. She tells Edward how lucky he was to “have broken free.”

Determined to be together, Edward devises a plan. The audience is taken for a ride, never sure what is part of the plan and what is not.

Women having autonomy over their lives, and class division are big themes in this film.  The cinematography and music are outstanding and make The Illusionist a pleasure to see time and again.