It’s been a while since I have rented a film and am truly amazed by it and which I regretted not seeing in the theaters. Illusionist is such a film. I was skepitcal to watch The Illusionist because, well, a film about a magician…come on! Also, I’m not a big fan of Jessica Biel. But, Biel was actually quite good as Norton’s love interest.

So, the premise of The Illusionist is in turn-of-the-century Vienna, a magician known as Eisenheim (Norton) uses his abilities to secure the love of a woman, Sophie (Biel), far above his social standing. Sophie is somewhat engaged to Crown Prince Leopold (Rufus Sewell), a woman-beating pig. Inspector Uhl, who is in the Crown Prince’s pocket and seeking promotion, investigates Eisenheim’s “tricks” and his rendez vous’ with the Prince’s betrothed. It’s all very intriguing.

The cinematography of the film is the most interesting. Quite amazing. The film’s tint to a soft orange, fade ins and fade outs ala silent film reminiscent expanding and contracting circles, the landscape and the costumes were all magnificently achieved to transprt the audience to turn-of-the-century Vienna. And though the cinematography and directing seems complex, the film felt quite simple and refined. It truly felt like the film was literally a short story (Steven Millhauser’s short story Eisenheim the Illusionist)told in motion.

Norton and Biel had great chemistry. Sewell was exact and believable in his portrayal as an unstable and cruel Crown Prince. And Paul Giamatti was just fabulous as Inspectory Uhl. I would say it was his best performance to date. This is I think the only character I’ve seen him play that was not a bit pathetic and a lot cynical.

There are two surprise twists at the end that were truly surprising. The first was the better, for me anyway, of the two since the first strongly alludes to the second which on second or third thought isn’t that surprising considering the abilities of Eisenheim and the relationship between Eisenheim and Sophie.

The Illusionist is not only a Rent it!, but also a Buy it!, which I intend to do soon enough.