It's just an illusion

What is it that I like about Edward Norton as an actor? His voice or mannerisms? No. I think it's how he manages to somehow convey the strength and intensity of his characters through his eyes. Like Clint Eastwood he tends to play his roles in an understated manner, never overacting and chewing up the scenery.

I've just watched The Illusionist on DVD. Set in an early 1900's Vienna, Norton plays the title character, stage magician

Eisenheim the Illusionist.


Eisenheim rediscovers his lost childhood sweetheart Sophie (Jessica Biel) only to learn that she is due to wed Crown Prince Leopold (Rufus Sewell) in a marriage of political convenience. Sophie's every move is watched by Leopold's police spies and it's not long before they find out about her relationship with Eisenheim. The Chief Inspector (Paul Giamatti) is tasked with debunking Eisenheim's act and ensuring that the lovers are parted and that the marriage goes ahead. What can Eisenheim do to free Sophie from Leopold's clutches? Could it be magic?

The Illusionist is a well acted, beautifully shot, gripping film. Like The Prestige, which also came out last year, it plays on trust and deception. Whilst The Illusionist isn't as exciting or as mind bending as The Prestige it is a more romantic tale. Worth seeing before it disappears.