The Illusionist

Name: The Illusionist
Genre: Animation
Released: December 25, 2010
Duration: 80 min
Rating: 82
Cast: Didier Gustin, Edith Rankin, Frédéric Lebon, Jean-Claude Donda

2010

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 31 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 83 Ratings

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7.4

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7.4	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 83 Ratings

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The Illusionist

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Movie Details & Credits

Sony Pictures Classics | Release Date: December 25, 2010 | PG

Starring: Didier Gustin, Edith Rankin, Frédéric Lebon, Jean-Claude Donda

Summary: The Illusionist is a story about two paths that cross. An outdated, aging magician, forced to wander from country to country, city to city and station to station in search of a stage to perform his act meets a young girl at the start of her life‟s journey. Alice is a teenage girl with all her capacity for childish wonder still intact.The Illusionist is a story about two paths that cross. An outdated, aging magician, forced to wander from country to country, city to city and station to station in search of a stage to perform his act meets a young girl at the start of her life‟s journey. Alice is a teenage girl with all her capacity for childish wonder still intact. She plays at being a woman without realizing the day to stop pretending is fast approaching. She doesn‟t know yet that she loves The Illusionist like she would a father; he already knows that he loves her as he would a daughter. Their destinies will collide, but nothing – not even magic or the power of illusion– can stop the voyage of discovery. (Sony Classic)… Expand

Director: Sylvain Chomet

Genre(s): Animation

Rating: PG

Runtime: 80 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Peter Rainer

Dec 21, 2010

A breathtakingly beautiful achievement in every way. Read full review

100

Amy Biancolli

Jan 14, 2011

This is a remarkable movie: lovely, slow-paced and almost silent, rich with pathos and deft comic gestures. Read full review

100

Steve Persall

Feb 9, 2011

The soundtrack is a small marvel of music hall tunes and dialogue that is mostly garbled, allowing expressions and body language to be interpreted. Read full review

Michael Phillips

Jan 13, 2011

Chomet himself has written the gentle waltz theme and other music. The piece glides by, effortlessly. Read full review

J. Hoberman

Dec 23, 2010

For its 80 minutes, the movie creates the illusion that not just Tati but his form of cerebral slapstick lives. Read full review

Roger Moore

Feb 9, 2011

Like Tati himself, The Illusionist feels like a relic of a different time. Read full review

Kyle Smith

Dec 25, 2010

Since this low-grade comedy doesn't really even attempt to be funny, the purpose of the movie is to establish (or reinforce) a feeling of luxurious old-timey melancholy. Read full review

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User Reviews

filmnerd4eva

Nov 16, 2013

The perception of ANIMATION has tainted most of the reviews. To tell a story is unique, and not limited to the perception of the viewer or the storyteller. To truley reach the audience one must simply present content, therin lies the connection we all comment on, negative or positive, we talk.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

UtopianStuff

May 31, 2013

It's an interesting film, very unique, and there aren't many like it. It has that Disney-esque type magic to it without being made by Disney or Pixar. Its a truly beautiful movie. It truly did deserve a nomination for best picture of 2010, it was amazing! I just cannot express how much IIt's an interesting film, very unique, and there aren't many like it. It has that Disney-esque type magic to it without being made by Disney or Pixar. Its a truly beautiful movie. It truly did deserve a nomination for best picture of 2010, it was amazing! I just cannot express how much I loved it. It had great emotional timing, it was extremely entertaining, its beautiful, charming, heartfelt, classic, stunning, touching, unique, interesting, and just amazing! I recommend it to all people, not just kids, but adults, you will like it too!… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

NedRyerson1

Jan 14, 2012

The Illusionist is one of the best animated movies of all times. Is unbelievable the levels of emotion that can reach this movie with little dialogue, sad colors and simple characters. The protagonist is a failed magician trying to survive in a Europe that has no time for that kind ofThe Illusionist is one of the best animated movies of all times. Is unbelievable the levels of emotion that can reach this movie with little dialogue, sad colors and simple characters. The protagonist is a failed magician trying to survive in a Europe that has no time for that kind of entertainment and where is not possible to dream. But one day, he meets a girl who believes that his magic tricks are real. That girl represents our childhood, but everyone must grow up and be mature enough to accept the reality. On the other hand, the illusionist recreates the figure of Jacques Tati and represents a lost concept by cinematography, the dignity of the loser; if things dont work out, find another way of living or simply walk away.
In this movie are noticeable the same ideas that treat Sylvain Chomet in The Triplets of Belleville: poor environments with no possibility of dreaming, failure of the show business and a life where is not escape from reality, no matter how cruel or dream destroyer could be.
This film is beautiful, charming and it will touch you heart, because everyone like their childhood, but this movie is a slap on the face that brings you to the adults world.… Expand

7 of 7 users found this helpful70

TribidenadaPak

Jul 20, 2017

A wonderful addition to Sylvain Chomet's collection, The Illusionist is a beautiful movie that simply exceeds all expectations. With remarkably sincere storytelling and characters it moves the audience with levels of emotion unthought to be associated with animated movies, making it one ofA wonderful addition to Sylvain Chomet's collection, The Illusionist is a beautiful movie that simply exceeds all expectations. With remarkably sincere storytelling and characters it moves the audience with levels of emotion unthought to be associated with animated movies, making it one of the best animated children's films to surface. With stunning animation and an amazing score, The Illusionist is a treasure to keep.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

hello_world

Mar 9, 2019

The Illusionist is a slow, thoughtful film about the passage of time and young and new taking over the old. The film is visually appealing to look, with the animation being a standout. It keeps a dreary atmosphere throughout its runtime, though it isn't without levity. I'd recommend thisThe Illusionist is a slow, thoughtful film about the passage of time and young and new taking over the old. The film is visually appealing to look, with the animation being a standout. It keeps a dreary atmosphere throughout its runtime, though it isn't without levity. I'd recommend this film to anyone who loves animation. Whilst there isn't anything explicitly inappropriate for children, the film will most probably bore younger audiences. People who like faster paced films will probably be put off by the pacing as well.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

cmrcool72

Sep 2, 2012

Generally it is perceived that a film, much like it's lead character undergoes what's commonly known as the three arcs, the first of which shows the character lost, or without puropse, the second arc takes the character, gives him a dilemma (in this case the search for occupation) and makesGenerally it is perceived that a film, much like it's lead character undergoes what's commonly known as the three arcs, the first of which shows the character lost, or without puropse, the second arc takes the character, gives him a dilemma (in this case the search for occupation) and makes him work to fix it, often leading to the third arc which leaves the character a better person, one who now has purpose. The Illusionist is excitedly refreshing with its characters, story and animation in a sense that this is now the case. In fact it could almost be the opposite, the character at the end of this film, or at least the main character has not changed one bit, in fact, it could be said that the lead at the beginning of the film was actually a better person when he adopts the young Gaelic girl into his care than at the end, crushing her illusion that magic is real and leaving her with little money as he departs on at train leaving her virtually penniless, if in the arms of a new found love. Yes, it could be said that the Illusionist is no Disney Pixar film (the company behind such classics would never threaten its unique situation as currently the most secure studio present) but in no sense does it mean that the Illisionist is anythign short of unique itself. The film has its flaws, dialogue (when rarely spoken) is often difficult to understand and the film finishes just as you start falling for the characters emotionally, but these are minor set backs in an affordable and enjoyable night in.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Dorkeemcnub

May 12, 2021

A completely terrible film that was a complete waste of time for the creators to make. Absolute garbage, and I hope they never make something so terrible again.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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