The Illusionist

September 1, 2006 0 By Fans
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Still of Paul Giamatti in The IllusionistStill of Rufus Sewell in The IllusionistPaul Giamatti at event of The IllusionistStill of Edward Norton and Jessica Biel in The IllusionistStill of Edward Norton in The IllusionistStill of Jessica Biel in The Illusionist

Plot

In turn-of-the-century Vienna, a magician uses his abilities to secure the love of a woman far above his social standing.

Release Year: 2006

Rating: 7.6/10 (138,166 voted)

Critic's Score: 68/100

Director:
Neil Burger

Stars: Edward Norton, Jessica Biel, Paul Giamatti

Storyline
Eisenheim is a magician in early 1900's Vienna, who falls in love with a woman well above his social standing. When she becomes engaged to a Crown Prince, Eisenheim uses his powers to free her and undermine the stability of the royal house of Vienna.

Writers: Neil Burger, Steven Millhauser

Cast:

Edward Norton

Eisenheim


Paul Giamatti

Inspector Uhl


Jessica Biel

Sophie


Rufus Sewell

Crown Prince Leopold


Eddie Marsan

Josef Fischer

(as Edward Marsan)


Jake Wood

Jurka


Tom Fisher

Willigut


Aaron Johnson

Young Eisenheim


Eleanor Tomlinson

Young Sophie


Karl Johnson

Doctor
/
Old Man


Vincent Franklin

Loschek


Nicholas Blane

Herr Doebler


Philip McGough

Dr. Hofzinser


Erich Redman

Count Rainer


Michael Carter

Von Thurnburg

Taglines:
Nothing is what it seems

Release Date: 1 September 2006

Filming Locations: Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic



Box Office Details

Budget: $16,000,000

(estimated)

Opening Weekend: $927,956
(USA)
(20 August 2006)
(51 Screens)

Gross: $84,276,175
(Worldwide)



Technical Specs

Runtime:



Did You Know?

Trivia:

When Prince Leopold is approached by Inspector Uhl, while hunting, to inform him of Eisenheim and Sophie's meetings, the Prince asks what they were seen doing together. The line about if they were seen "fornicating" was originally filmed as him saying "fucking" instead. They dubbed in the word "fornicating" to avoid an R-Rating in compliance with the MPAA's policy that the f-word not be used in reference to intercourse in a PG-13 film.

Goofs:

Audio/visual unsynchronized:
When Inspector Uhl finds Leopold to tell him of Sophie and Eisenheim's relationship, Leopold asks "What where they doing? Touching? Kissing? Fornicating?" His face is only shown when he says "fornicating", but he mouths a completely different word. (see Trivia)

Quotes:

[first lines]

woman in audience:
It's her. I know it's her! She wants to tell us something.



User Review

Brilliant movie, exceptional all around

Rating: 10/10


This movie was stunning in many aspects. Visually in terms of
locations, inside and out, there was great consistency and a nothing
seemed strained. The story weaved fluidly through these locations and
seemed to make the locales a vital part of the story. Ed Norton was
mesmerizing, a superb performance that allowed the story to unfold
seemingly at his discretion. Jess Biel was very believable and
stunningly beautiful. Paul Giamatti (sp) played an admirable role and
took the viewer by surprise in many elements of the story. The story
was fresh and imaginative, very intriguing. Not as predictable as you
would think. We saw this at a Sundance screening and the entire theater
of 500+ seats was full and when the movie was over all you could hear
was excited and happy chatter, lots of applause as well. Director came
out for a Q&A after and was very amiable in answering questions. Highly
recommended!!!