| By Glenn Gaslin The Illusionist
Directed by Neil Burger. Starring Edward Norton, Paul Giamatti, Jessica Biel, Rufus Sewell. Released by 20th Century Fox. Production budget: $16 million. Box office (U.S.): $40 million. Box office (worldwide): $29 million. There is a list of actors who, no matter what they're in, you should see. This list is short, and this list includes both Ed Norton and Paul Giamatti. Reason enough, then, to get into this rich Victorian magician mystery and love story. Norton's an extraordinary illusionist at the turn of the last century who becomes obsessed with his own power, gets caught in a love triangle and, as it turns out, wrapped up in intrigue at the highest levels of the Austria-Hungary government. Giamatti's an investigator, narrator and the level-headed observer necessary to give the magician distance from the audience: you. The pacing is often cold and patient, but Norton's so wild and alive, doing plenty of the real "magic" himself, at least the sleight of hand stuff, that we're dazzled. |
