

Nothing is what it seems
With his eye on a lovely aristocrat, a gifted illusionist named Eisenheim uses his powers to win her away from her betrothed, a crown prince. But Eisenheim's scheme creates tumult within the monarchy and ignites the suspicion of a dogged inspector.
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Character
Grave, classical in form, meticulous and earnest.
- gravecomic
- classical in formformally daring
- rawmeticulous
- earnestironic
- character-ledplot-driven
Who loves it, who doesn't
43 profiled raters. Loved most by The Provocateurs; disliked most by The Formalists.
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“Is Edward Norton the best thing in The Illusionist?”
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“Is The Illusionist too earnest?”
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“Would a little humor have helped?”
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A yes-or-no question, answered from what people wrote here, on TMDB and on Wikipedia. Never made up.
Reviews
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Reviews on TMDB
Written by TMDB members; each links to the original. Not part of Tastebuds's numbers.
- John Chardon TMDB · Feb 20198/10
Life and death. Space and time. Fate and chance. Theses are the forces of the universe. The Illusionist is directed by Neil Burger and Burger adapts the screenplay from "Eisenheim the Illusionist" written by Steven Millhauser. It stars Edward Norton, Paul Giamatti, Jessica Biel and Rufus Sewell. Music is by Philip Glass and cinematography by Dick Pope. How splendid, a period romantic mystery that's filled with the mysticism of magical conjurings and political volatility. Plot essentially has Norton as Eisenheim The Illusionist, who later in life runs into Sophie (Biel), his childhood sweetheart, and finds that she's on course to marry Crown Prince Leopold (Sewell). Leopold has a bad reputation and it's not long before Eisenheim comes under Leopold's disdain, forcing Eisenheim to try and pull off the ultimate magic act to save Sophie and himself. Creator Neil Burger crafts a picture that has everything going for it. The story is rock solid with intrigue credentials, where appropriately for a story based around magic tricks nothing is ever as it seems. The period flavours are smartly assembled, the Czech Republic locations smartly standing in for turn of the century Vienna, the art p
Read the whole review on TMDB - GeekMasheron TMDB · Mar 20139.5/10
When I looked at this film for the first time I was unsure it would be any good... I was completely amazed by how this film was good. The actors all played there role very well. The film has a very good storyline and I was compelled to watch it. All in all a great movie, worth watching.
Read the whole review on TMDB - JPV852on TMDB · Aug 20199/10
Seen this movie several times over the years and still find it so entertaining and satisfying thanks in large part to Edward Norton's performance. In some ways, although not as expertly directed, I prefer this over The Prestige, which is a great movie in its own right.
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Cast
- Edward NortonEisenheim
- Paul GiamattiInspector Uhl
- Jessica BielSophie
- Rufus SewellCrown Prince Leopold
- Eddie MarsanJosef Fischer
- Aaron Taylor-JohnsonYoung Eisenheim
- Eleanor TomlinsonYoung Sophie
- Jake WoodJurka
- Tom FisherWilligut
- Karl JohnsonDoctor / Old Man
Crew
- Neil BurgerDirector
- Neil BurgerScreenplay
- Dick PopeDirector of Photography
- Philip GlassOriginal Music Composer
- Naomi GeraghtyEditor
- Brian KoppelmanProducer
- Cathy SchulmanProducer
- Michael LondonProducer
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Similar in taste
Closest on the same fourteen dimensions, from everything scored on Tastebuds Other media included when they land close.
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It Came from Outer Space 195376% alikeBoth grave, classical in form.
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Over the Alps 202075% alikeGame · Both grave.
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