The Illusionist

Name: The Illusionist
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller, Romance
Released: August 18, 2006
Duration: 110 min
Rating: 68
Cast: Edward Norton, Jessica Biel, Paul Giamatti

2006

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 37 Critics

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 538 Ratings

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8.7

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8.7	Your Score
8.7	User Score Universal acclaim based on 538 Ratings

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THE ILLUSIONIST

Movie Details & Credits

Yari Film Group Releasing | Release Date: August 18, 2006

Starring: Edward Norton, Jessica Biel, Paul Giamatti

Summary: Set in turn-of-the-centuy Vienna, this supernatural mystery combines romance, politics and magic. (Yari Film Group)

Director: Neil Burger

Genre(s): Drama, Mystery, Thriller, Romance

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 110 min

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Awards & Rankings

34	#34 Most Discussed Movie of 2006
51	#51 Most Shared Movie of 2006

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Chicago Reader - Jonathan Rosenbaum

A lush piece of romanticism. Read full review

Entertainment Weekly - Lisa Schwarzbaum

The Illusionist looks rigorously styled and measured, and every one of Norton's postures feels chosen. Yet the interesting actor has chosen so thoughtfully that we're riveted. Read full review

Slate - Dana Stevens

It's an exquisitely crafted period picture that keeps promising more and more as it goes along--smarter ideas, richer themes, spookier plot twists--and keeps delivering on every promise, right up until the rug-pulling and overly hasty final sequence. Read full review

Boston Globe - Ty Burr

Illusionist is like an overupholstered wing chair in the corner of a men's club -- you settle in only to be startled by how ridiculously comfy you are. Read full review

Los Angeles Times - Carina Chocano

Sewell and Giamatti ham it up as the imperious pretender to the throne and his ambitious but conflicted minion in this uncheesy but entertainingly tricky mystery. There's more heat between the two of them than between the sappy lovers. Read full review

Seattle Post-Intelligencer - William Arnold

The movie also is designed to be an actor's showcase for Norton and Giamatti, two of the best movie actors of their generation. Each has his moments of fire, but some element is missing from the script that would make this duel of the titans riveting. Read full review

Austin Chronicle - Marjorie Baumgarten

The film's moody, dark palette and soft, inchoate backgrounds tend to lull the senses rather than actively engage the viewer. The magic practiced by this illusionist does not extend to the screen. Read full review

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User Reviews

LindsayB.

Aug 26, 2006

A fascinating and engaging film. Definitely one of the best films of the year.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

KristinaD

Nov 24, 2006

I thought that this was a brilliant movie. It was refreshing to see Jessica Biel in a period piece which I don't believe that she has ever done before. I love period films and this one was especially good. Although there is nothing particulary new about the forbidden love-type story, I thought that this was a brilliant movie. It was refreshing to see Jessica Biel in a period piece which I don't believe that she has ever done before. I love period films and this one was especially good. Although there is nothing particulary new about the forbidden love-type story, the Illusionist was done in a very different way and had many twists and turns.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Violett

Jan 23, 2014

Awesome. Great plot, great acting. This is sort of steampunk-like movies (like Sleepy Hollow). Plot takes you from the beginning till the end, I dont want to spoil, but at the end of the movie I has the same face as of Paul Giamatti ))
Jessica Bil is very cute!

7 of 7 users found this helpful70

ClintM.

Sep 14, 2006

I absolutely loved this movie ... it's completely original, compelling all the way to the end, unique, interesting, wonderfully acted, wonderful story, very stylized filming ... all around I have 0 complaints with it. I left feeling rewarded for having come!

0 of 0 users found this helpful

[Anonymous]

Sep 11, 2006

A good time with a few faults. This was not Edward's best but Rufus Sewell and Paul Giamatti are amazing and more than make up for it. Jessica Biel is distractingly pretty but believable.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

DeWayneP.P.

Sep 24, 2006

I think the Users votes are a bit too high for this film (the critics reviews for a change, is right-on!). The cinematography was beautiful, dark, smokey, and romantically moody. But the story lines of love and power needed more tension and drama development...or was it all left on the I think the Users votes are a bit too high for this film (the critics reviews for a change, is right-on!). The cinematography was beautiful, dark, smokey, and romantically moody. But the story lines of love and power needed more tension and drama development...or was it all left on the cutting room floor??? At $10. a pop to see this film it really isn't worth it, but it is a good deal if you're watching' it on a Saturday night and you flip-on HBO-at-the Movies!… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Prabhath

Nov 15, 2014

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Could have build up the character of Crown Prince establishing him as a
cruel person.....there isn't even one scene at least to establish
that....He didn't seem to me as a Villain.....Actually I felt sorry for
him being failed by his man, the foolish chief inspector.....And for
the surprise element its easy for any film buff to guess that she
(Biel) was not actually murdered at that night....and from there it is
just impatient watch till the climax....which ends making us (atleast
people like me) feeling sorry for the Prince and I just couldn't watch
that foolish Inspector laughing for being fooled and lost the Prince
with his incapacity. And there's one question - Since she is a Duchess
the royal families must have attended her funeral.....And if there
isn't any funeral and they haven't attended then she must be alive
somewhere else.....Steven Millhauser...… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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