The Illusionist

I needed a movie like "the Illusionist" to close out the summer because the rest of the late august releases were not doing it for me (Beerfest, Idlewild, invincible). Neil Burger's adaptation of the short story 'Eisenheim the Illusionist', tells the tale of the great Eisenheim (Edward Norton), a powerful magician in turn of the century Vienna. Eisenheim sets up shop in the bustling German city and begins to garner large audiences with his implausible tricks, illusions so unbelievable that the city police (Paul Giammatti) begin to investigate. While investigating they learn that he's having an affair with the prince's fiance (Jessica Biel), and they attempt to shut him down. In the process he devises a brilliant plan to be with his love, but it will take lots of planning and a lot of luck. Edward Norton, who plays the illuisionist with a sophisticated grace is one of the reasons why this movie shines, but the real strength of the flick is in its supporting cast. Paul Giammatti and Rufus Sewell took me back to the early 1900's, it's mainly because of them that this winding story flows so well. a fun movie.