The Illusionist (2010)

June 2010

(8)

Synopsis

From the Director of the Oscar®-nominated classic The Triplets of Belleville, THE ILLUSIONIST is a story about two paths that cross. While touring concert halls, theaters and pubs, an aging, down-on-his-luck magician encounters a young girl at the start of her life's journey. Alice is a teenage girl with all her capacity for childish wonder still intact. She plays at being a woman without realizing the day to stop pretending is fast approaching. She doesn't know yet that she loves The Illusionist like she would a father; he already knows that he loves her as he would a daughter. Their destinies will collide, but nothing -- not even magic or the power of illusion-- can stop the voyage of discovery. (Original Title - The Illusionist (2010)) © 2010 Django Films Illusionist Ltd., Pathe Production S.A.S. and France 3 Cinema. All Rights Reserved.

Reviews

5.0

8 total

5 8

4 0

3 0

2 0

1 0

Rene Rodriguez

The film ends on a note of graceful, heartbreaking beauty that Tati would have admired for its lack of sentimentality. A lot of what precedes that ending, though, is precious and slight and a...

Amy Biancolli

This is a remarkable movie: lovely, slow-paced and almost silent, rich with pathos and deft comic gestures.

Chris Vognar

The Illusionistis magical in more ways than one.

Colin Covert

The story has enough sentimental schmaltz to grease a locomotive.

Bill Goodykoontz

A lovely appreciation of Tati and a loving, bittersweet look at the end of the 1950s, before entertainers like the magician of the title were displaced by rock bands and other more visceral acts.

Tom Long

A French import that's long on grace notes and wry humor, it eschews flash and opts for heart to great effect.

Critic reviews

Rene Rodriguez

The film ends on a note of graceful, heartbreaking beauty that Tati would have admired for its lack of sentimentality. A lot of what precedes that ending, though, is precious and slight and a...

Full Review

Amy Biancolli

This is a remarkable movie: lovely, slow-paced and almost silent, rich with pathos and deft comic gestures.

Full Review

Chris Vognar

The Illusionistis magical in more ways than one.

Full Review

Colin Covert

The story has enough sentimental schmaltz to grease a locomotive.

Full Review

Bill Goodykoontz

A lovely appreciation of Tati and a loving, bittersweet look at the end of the 1950s, before entertainers like the magician of the title were displaced by rock bands and other more visceral acts.

Full Review

Tom Long

A French import that's long on grace notes and wry humor, it eschews flash and opts for heart to great effect.

Full Review

User reviews

Amy Tilly October 6, 2014

Heartfelt and Heartbreaking I absolutely love Sylvain Chomet's work. I honestly had no idea how he could surpass "Triplets" and he hasn't-- he has created it's equal. I loved how no words were needed to convey the story in "Triplets" and the same applies to "The Illusionist". In this slice-of-life piece we watch a young girl become enamoured with the tricks of an aging magician and follow her on her journey as his groupie and friend as he tours more small villages and then returns to the big city where it is apparent that his brand of entertainment is dying. It is a story of growth and change: We follow the girl as she becomes a young woman; watch as the magician comically struggles with his rabbit-in-the-hat trick; we see them grow to be as close as father and daughter and it is nothing but completely endearing. It has a melancholy tone to it and the animation is so beautiful and the lack of words makes each action speak volumes louder than any script could. Keep a box of tissues handy for this one... it moved me to tears. It is DEFINITELY worth purchasing outright if you are a fan of fantastic cinema. Give it a shot-- you will not regret it.

writer happy September 12, 2014

Wonderful movie!!! I am such a fan of Sylvain Chomet! I love, love, love this movie. It's so beautiful, told so well! I'm anxiously waiting for his next movie! I know he won't disappoint!

Marco Paglia October 11, 2014

Amazing

Cast and credits

Actors	Eilidh Rankin, Jean-Claude Donda
Producers	Bob Last, Sally Chomet
Director	Sylvain Chomet
Writers	Sylvain Chomet

Additional information

Rotten tomatoes® score

90%

Audio language

English (Stereo)

Subtitles

English

Run time

79 minutes

Rating

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