The Illusionist is
another movie from 2006 about life as a magician trying to get by—or, in this
case, trying to be with the woman he loves. 2006 was the year we saw both this
movie and The
Prestige give us a backstage pass into the lives of
magicians. The Illusionist was more financially successful, and
unlike The
Prestige, which features rival magicians, this one focuses on two
people in love.
The movie’s plot
takes place in Vienna and is set in 1889. A young man named Eisenheim (Edward
Norton), who would later become a magician, falls in love with a girl named
Sophie (Jessica Biel). Eisenheim’s father was a cabinet maker, while Sophie was
a Duchess, so their relationship was forbidden due to their social status.
Their love for
each other was stronger than the repercussions of their union, so they
continued to meet in secret—until they were caught. Knowing he might never see
her again, Eisenheim dives fully into the study of magic and travels the world,
eventually becoming somewhat wealthy himself.
Fifteen years
later, he returns to Vienna and meets an adult Sophie, only to learn that she
is engaged to marry the Crown Prince. It’s rumored that the prince has no
respect for women and is cruel to them. Eisenheim conducts a private show for
the prince and humiliates him in the process, leading to his ban from
performing in Vienna again.
Eisenheim asks
Sophie to run away with him so they can be happy together, but Sophie is
afraid. She explains that they’ll be hunted down and killed if they try. Later,
Sophie attempts to end her engagement with the Crown Prince, but he refuses. He
chases her into the stables with a sword, in front of his servants. The next
morning, Sophie’s dead body is discovered.
Eisenheim is
devastated. In his grief, he buys a theater and begins performing a new magic
show, this time practicing necromancy. Everything seems fine until, in front of
his audience, he summons Sophie’s spirit from the dead. The spirit reveals that
someone in attendance at the show was responsible for her death. This
revelation causes a lot of trouble for Eisenheim, and the rest of the movie
revolves around the fallout.
Edward Norton
and Jessica Biel deliver fantastic performances. As you watch this movie,
you’re swept away by the story, and until the very end, you’re left wondering
if Eisenheim will ever find happiness.
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