oddbodd
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The IllusionistBeing a Derren Brown fan, it was difficult not to be reminded of the beardy mentalist by Edward Norton's character in this entertaining film. Whether the resemblance was by accident or by design, Edward Norton is nonetheless makes the character his own.
Norton plays the Eisenheim, the illusionist of the title, in what appears to be victorian Austria. He had begun to learn his trade as a working class child, whilst falling in love with Sophia, the duaghter of his aristocratic employers. The bridge in class was too much for her parents to tolerate, and they become separated. He travels the world and returns to Vienna as a stage illusionist.
The story takes a turn when the Crown Prince (Rufus Sewell) attends one of his performances. As the Prince's lover (Jessica Biel) takes to the stage as a volunteer in one of his acts, Eisenheim recognises her as Sophia. Predictably, this leads to complications - but Eisenheim isn't one to let this defeat him.
Norton's portrayal of the illusionist is very good, even unto the slight Germanic accent he effects. Rufus Sewell, however, is somewhat typecast and bland - and his moustache is nothing short of comically fake. Biel herself does a good turn as Sophia.
I found this film very much worth seeing - quite original.
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