The Illusionist
2006
Romance, Drama
1h 50m
Set in turn-of-the-centuy Vienna, this supernatural mystery combines romance, politics and magic. (Yari Film Group)
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The Illusionist
2006
Romance, Drama
1h 50m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 53.5% from 10808 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews
(10807)
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Rated 10 Jun 2014
77
17th
Paul Giamatti plays a policeman who is always a few steps behind the illusionist. By the time he's finally pieced everything together at the movie's denouement, it's glaringly obvious to the viewer what has transpired. It could be poor film-making in that too much information is given beforehand to deduce the twist before Giamatti, but maybe that's the point. He's not serving as a foil to the illusionist; he's a foil to you, the viewer, making you feel brilliant. That's the real illusion here.
Rated 10 Jun 2014
Rated 14 Aug 2007
60
38th
The movie looks great, and I really love the styling of it (it feels very old fashioned). But at the root of it, it's a REALLY standard flick. The twist ending is weak (I really think Hollywood should just lay off those for a while), and I really didn't think that this movie would go in that direction. Any actors in the film that you thought would be good/decent, were. But overall it was disappointing to say the least.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 17 Jun 2008
50
25th
this is a lession of how predictable a movie can be.
Rated 17 Jun 2008
Rated 13 Jan 2007
62
51st
A beautiful movie.
Rated 13 Jan 2007
Rated 16 Feb 2007
75
63rd
Old-fashioned and really well done. Great acting all around.
Rated 16 Feb 2007
Rated 24 Oct 2008
70
52nd
Don't compare it to the Prestiege and you will probably find it entertaining. Everyone involved struggles with ze Germun aksent but good performance from Norton and Giamatti carry it through. Oh, and you should see the 'twist' coming a mile off.
Rated 24 Oct 2008
Rated 31 Jul 2009
79
82nd
This film seems often compared (perhaps unfairly and unnecessarily) with The Prestige, a film with which The Illusionist just cannot compete. Nonetheless, it's still well performed and entertaining, with enough substance about it to satisfy most, and as always Paul Giamatti is brilliant.
Rated 31 Jul 2009
Rated 09 Sep 2009
59
29th
Some fine actors and visuals are wasted within a soppy, plodding and obvious plot. Waiting 40min for the twist to be revealed once you have already figured it out is eye-rollingly torturous.
Rated 09 Sep 2009
Rated 29 Mar 2011
85
80th
If I were a magician, I would model my life after Edward Norton's character. It's ultimate mistake was coming out so near the same time as the Prestige.
Rated 29 Mar 2011
Rated 23 Jan 2014
54
26th
SPOILER ALERT!!! SPOILER ALERT!!! Uh, the movie is called The Illusionist, and the end of the movie is just a spinning shot of Paul Giamatti figuring out that there was one whole twist! I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING!!!
Rated 23 Jan 2014
Rated 21 Jan 2007
65
53rd
it's a potential crowdpleaser. well done, but too light. Paul Giamatti shines.
Rated 21 Jan 2007
Rated 21 Jan 2007
68
37th
The film looks gorgeous, with nice period atmosphere and visuals, and the acting is solid, but on the whole it is formulaic and a bit predictable.
Rated 21 Jan 2007
Rated 28 Jan 2007
76
64th
No one could have created a miracle from this mediocre scenario. but still enjoyable..
Rated 28 Jan 2007
Rated 23 Feb 2007
5
44th
I hate hearing from every casual movie watcher about how amazing the twist is in this movie. Really? You didn't see that coming? It's a decent movie but I can't recommend it to anyone.
Rated 23 Feb 2007
Rated 24 Feb 2007
55
15th
It's a decent enough love story, and beautifully shot, but not anything special.
Rated 24 Feb 2007
Rated 18 Mar 2007
85
69th
Beautiful cinematography and good acting. The story was simple and compelling. And my how I love those epiphany montages at the ends of movies.
Rated 18 Mar 2007
Rated 20 Mar 2007
46
17th
Honestly I don't understand the praise for this movie. It has a bogus plot and the acting, for the most part, sucks uncontrollably. Edward Norton just has the hardest time choosing good roles it seems.
Rated 20 Mar 2007
Rated 03 May 2007
40
20th
Boring and predictable; Giamatti's performance is the only redeeming feature of this listless film.
Rated 03 May 2007
Rated 30 May 2007
50
38th
It's very decent, but it could've been so much better. Just look at how brilliant The Prestige is. While the plot is entirely different in these two films, it's undeniable that The Prestige got far more excitement, plot twists and emotion out of the concept of a early 20th century magician. Overall worth a watch, but the end was (while well executed) somewhat too predictable. If you have the choice, watch The Prestige instead.
Rated 30 May 2007
Rated 08 Jun 2007
45
9th
Not even the acting of Edward Norton and Paul Giamatti, the music of Phillip Glass and the costume design of Ngila Dickson can rescue this film from the lacklustre script and Jessica Biel's woodenness.
Rated 08 Jun 2007
Rated 14 Aug 2007
77
44th
A decent period film with a lot of good actors and settings working for it. You'll find yourself attracted to the characters and their motives, but the story leaves a lot to be desired.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 14 Aug 2007
73
33rd
Slow-paced, brilliant performances, excpet from Biel.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 08 Oct 2007
85
88th
Edward Norton, as always, with a marvellous acting.
Rated 08 Oct 2007
Rated 03 Mar 2008
98
90th
An exquisite movie! I love it. One of Tyler's-and-my favorites.
Rated 03 Mar 2008
Rated 11 Apr 2008
60
35th
I used to confuse this movie with The Prestige before they were released. Once I watched both of them, I can now distinguish between The Prestige and that other movie I watched which sucked.
Rated 11 Apr 2008
Rated 23 Mar 2009
78
61st
Like 3:10 to Yuma, a incredibly entertaining solid film with great acting, especially from Norton, Giamatti, and Sewell. Story is unoffensive and enjoyable. Plenty of twists. Good flick.
Rated 23 Mar 2009
Rated 20 Sep 2009
50
28th
It was unfortunate to have seen The Prestige shortly before this one, because the Illusionist definitely falls short. The main character is in essence a huge douche, and the forced accents from everybody were very distracting. Looked pretty though.
Rated 20 Sep 2009
Rated 02 Jan 2010
85
58th
Lovely period piece w/a dreamy feel and a fun twist. Excellent acting.
Rated 02 Jan 2010
Rated 22 Sep 2010
69
73rd
An entertaining and well made film, but suffers from some lulls, and the unfortunate timing of the sort of similar (and superior) The Prestige.
Rated 22 Sep 2010
Rated 05 Oct 2012
10
3rd
Apart from the stylish 20's vignettes and resolves this film should be regarded, with interest, as one of the poorest attempts at art.
Rated 05 Oct 2012
Rated 13 Dec 2012
80
34th
Kind of boring at times, but Norton plays quite The Illusionist, It's slow paced, but the acting is perfect. Either you like it or you don't. I think it's overly appreciated but it is very good.
Rated 13 Dec 2012
Rated 13 Oct 2019
81
65th
Beautifully shot and very romantic in its way, this suffers by comparison to the more ambitious, contemporaneous THE PRESTIGE, but is still a satisfying experience, anchored by terrific performances by Giamatti and Norton (Biel's miscasting is not a serious misstep). Arguably too clever by half, and the scene which sets up the climactic payoff is a little too obvious (even to this generally gullible viewer!), but at least there's no cheating involved. A fine piece of entertainment.
Rated 13 Oct 2019
Rated 08 Apr 2020
70
70th
It starts pretty rough in order to tell us everything we need to know. Luckily, once the plot starts to advance, and we know where it’s headed, the film turns out to be pretty entertaining. I didn’t predict much of what was going to happen, although I halfway knew the importance of the sword scene. I feel like predicting less makes the film better when it reveals everything, even if it’s reveal makes it less rewatchable. Still worth seeing once, even if it’s not as good as The Prestige.
Rated 08 Apr 2020
Rated 13 Jan 2007
3
28th
Its ILLUSION isn't powerful enough to make Jessica Biel appear to act well, but it may CAST its puzzling MAGIC on you for one viewing!
Rated 13 Jan 2007
Rated 10 Feb 2007
69
53rd
impressive graphics.. but the ending was undeniably foreseeable. ed norton didn't have me fooled!
Rated 10 Feb 2007
Rated 14 Feb 2007
76
27th
Magicians should never reveal how their illusions are performed. I enjoyed the Illusionist up to the point until the story revealed how it pulled off its tricks.
Rated 14 Feb 2007
Rated 18 Feb 2007
75
56th
Decent fun. Burger does a good job, but the cast is not quite there.
Rated 18 Feb 2007
Rated 22 Feb 2007
75
89th
Great film well worth a watch.
Rated 22 Feb 2007
Rated 08 Mar 2007
67
48th
I loved the style of the movie. The acting is superb and the plot, though basically a heist movie set in the beginning of the century, is modified enough to make it all feel fresh. My disappointment is that all the really impressive magic tricks we done with CGI, it kind of ruins the fun.
Rated 08 Mar 2007
Rated 11 Mar 2007
65
32nd
I like how they filmed this and I really enjoyed Giamatti's performance. Beyond that, however, I felt the film's story was too formulaic and it didn't hold much of my attention.
Rated 11 Mar 2007
Rated 20 Mar 2007
79
77th
A need little magician's touch adds to a solid period romance featuring a very strong supporting perfomance from Paul Giamatti as the town Police Inspector.
Rated 20 Mar 2007
Rated 25 Mar 2007
76
67th
The lengths I would go to for sex with Jessica Biel. I don't blame you, Edward Norton.
Rated 25 Mar 2007
Rated 13 Apr 2007
73
36th
Interesting and classy if somewhat predictable. Some fine actors doing some fine acting, and a good movie overall.
Rated 13 Apr 2007
Rated 25 Apr 2007
55
25th
An enjoyable film but it sort of just comes and goes.
Rated 25 Apr 2007
Rated 28 Apr 2007
50
5th
See the Prestige if you want to see a Victorian magician movie!
Rated 28 Apr 2007
Rated 18 May 2007
80
65th
Captivating magic with an interesting storyline.
Rated 18 May 2007
Rated 21 May 2007
60
32nd
Like The Prestige, but not nearly as good--and doesn't bother to explain anything at the end.
Rated 21 May 2007
Rated 21 May 2007
75
54th
I love movies in the victorian era, I love movies about magic and I like edward norton, so overall it was an awesome movie. A bit too predictable though.
Rated 21 May 2007
Rated 09 Jun 2007
85
90th
I liked it more than the Prestige but I seem to be in the minority on that opinion. I really enjoyed the way that they wrapped the movie up.
Rated 09 Jun 2007
Rated 01 Jul 2007
60
18th
A very good-looking movie with a great performance by Giamatti. Sadly, it plays fast and loose with the rules of storytelling, and the ending is a flat-out cheat.
Rated 01 Jul 2007
Rated 04 Jul 2007
68
57th
Rewatched in 05.2021 and lowered it's rating from 73 to 68!
Rated 04 Jul 2007
Rated 18 Jul 2007
80
43rd
I loved it until the end. Then it became "Romeo and Juliet: The Untold Story."
Rated 18 Jul 2007
Rated 04 Aug 2007
75
63rd
It begins slowly and builds its effects carefully, like a top-notch magic act. The casting is unusual to say the least, but this turns out to be part of the misdirection; although computers are much too heavily used to achieve the overall atmosphere and effect, this is a beguiling movie that leaves one feeling satisfied, entertained and pleased.
Rated 04 Aug 2007
Rated 11 Aug 2007
44
25th
Edward Norton glares redundantly as a driven illusionist, immersed in his craft and tortured by the return of a childhood love, played prettily and vacantly by Jessica Biel. The complicated plot is dependent on discoveries and fortuitous turns that defy logic more than a living, breathing rabbit suddenly being plucked from a hat that was clearly empty just moments earlier. On the other hand, Paul Giamatti is excellent as a idealistic inspector with his own curiosity about magic.
Rated 11 Aug 2007
Rated 14 Aug 2007
70
49th
Enchanting enough to keep you interested. Ed Norton is spectacular!
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 14 Aug 2007
45
14th
Highbrow acting, lush visuals and period setting are no compensation for a silly plot and some cardboard characters.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 14 Aug 2007
40
27th
if no edward norton, then it would just be paul giamatti and a weird accent
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 14 Aug 2007
52
34th
It's... okay. It's not especially clever or deep or anything like that, but as a fairy tale, does just fine. It's very pretty, and the lighting and camera effects are outstanding. And Paul Giamatti brings the goods. And anybody hoping for naked Jessica Biel: it doesn't happen here.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 14 Aug 2007
75
74th
Just like the best of fairy tales, the enduring qualities don't come from the ending, but in the manner in which they are told, and The Illusionist utilizes classic narrative technique to get its modest story across, without dwelling too much on gimmickry and distracting side stories.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 15 Aug 2007
85
73rd
The better of the two period-magician films that you confused and ended up seeing neither.
Rated 15 Aug 2007
Rated 17 Aug 2007
90
84th
compelling love story. there is some mystery in there that is not resolved, at least to my mind: I think he is magic.
Rated 17 Aug 2007
Rated 19 Aug 2007
72
79th
Patrick Norton saved this film, there's not too much to say here.
Rated 19 Aug 2007
Rated 31 Aug 2007
80
49th
Edward Norton is excellent in this beautiful film with quite the ending.
Rated 31 Aug 2007
Rated 02 Sep 2007
72
72nd
Good. A good mystery with a somewhat cheesy but forgivable back story, a magician, Edward Norton, returns to Vienna after travelling around the world to reunite with his childhood love, challenge her politically powerful jealous fiance`, and try to outsmart the police chief who wants to implicate him in a murder investigation.
Rated 02 Sep 2007
Rated 04 Sep 2007
95
84th
Edward Norton the great yet again. Movie about a famous magician who is investigated by the crown prince's men due to his involvement with the prince's wife who was Norton's love interest when they were children. Good cast, good story, good twist.
Rated 04 Sep 2007
Rated 06 Sep 2007
60
33rd
the ending saved a distinctly average film.
Rated 06 Sep 2007
Rated 16 Sep 2007
50
22nd
Not bad, but gets less and less interesting as it goes along. The ending is a bit too much like that of The Usual Suspects.
Rated 16 Sep 2007
Rated 20 Sep 2007
70
37th
Clever & entertaining.
Rated 20 Sep 2007
Rated 18 Oct 2007
85
98th
Brilliant!
Rated 18 Oct 2007
Rated 16 Nov 2007
95
98th
easy story, but a beautiful film.
Rated 16 Nov 2007
Rated 16 Nov 2007
50
10th
The first draft of the script was probably called 'Generic nº 46' or something.
Rated 16 Nov 2007
Rated 16 Feb 2008
70
56th
A very uneven film. At its best it's fantastic, the camerawork and the actors are just terrific, especially Sewell suprised me. Features one of the best intros I've ever seen, too bad the whole movie doesn't keep up the same standards.
Rated 16 Feb 2008
Rated 17 Feb 2008
93
77th
Just a really well-told well-paced story.
Rated 17 Feb 2008
Rated 18 Mar 2008
94
83rd
I loved this movie so much more than The Prestige. Ed Norton is a brilliant actor.
Rated 18 Mar 2008
Rated 22 Mar 2008
92
71st
Beautifully done! What an interesting story, and I get more out of it every time I watch it! It isn't light-hearted by any means, but somehow it manages to skirt the edges of darkness without being dark. I think this is mostly attributed to Norton and his character, who manages to convey a great calm and certainty. A great film, and a great film to watch more than once!
Rated 22 Mar 2008
Rated 25 Mar 2008
58
17th
I can't rate it fairly because I fell asleep while trying to watch it on three different occasions.
Rated 25 Mar 2008
Rated 18 Apr 2008
25
6th
This movie is SO in love with its twist ending. It wants to be The Usual Suspects SO bad. I felt underwhelmed by the entire movie, but that presentation of the twist was really barftastic.
Rated 18 Apr 2008
Rated 02 May 2008
2
39th
It's well made, the performances (save Biel) are great and the scenes involving illusions are very involving but in the end the movie is let down by its terribly weak script.
Rated 02 May 2008
Rated 03 May 2008
65
22nd
Inferior to The Prestige, released right around the same time as The Illusionist. The Illusionist is a mildly charming but ultimately unremarkable movie about magic and the lengths to which people will go for love. Worth seeing once, but you'll forget you saw it after a day or two.
Rated 03 May 2008
Rated 13 May 2008
93
97th
Good movie, ending was sort of predictable but it wasn't completely.
Rated 13 May 2008
Rated 15 May 2008
85
72nd
Magic is magical, and so is Edward Norton.
Rated 15 May 2008
Rated 18 May 2008
86
78th
A well presented mix of a who-donnit, romance and political commentary. Acting is understated and the plot is both believable and quirky. An interesting story well worth watching.
Rated 18 May 2008
Rated 04 Jun 2008
75
64th
Great. If you like this checkout "The Prestige"
Rated 04 Jun 2008
Rated 06 Jun 2008
60
72nd
didnt know what to expect from this film, but it is actually very good!
Rated 06 Jun 2008
Rated 22 Jun 2008
79
59th
It's incredibly strange to me that this film was released around the same time as Christopher Nolan's magician period piece. That being the case, comparisons are unavoidable. This ends up being the weaker film considering the story is more simple and the story is far more predictable.
Rated 22 Jun 2008
Rated 01 Jul 2008
97
93rd
Captivating throughout. A little hard to believe at some points, but it has everything a great movie should including a smoking hot Jessica Beal.
Rated 01 Jul 2008
Rated 10 Jul 2008
50
27th
this movie has a nice 19th century Europe feeling to it, but that's about it. Some nice shots don't quite make up for the mediocre script.
Rated 10 Jul 2008
Rated 11 Jul 2008
70
36th
It had a good story, but it was quite slow to build and there was something about it that was just a little off. I can't really explain it, it's just one of those things.
Rated 11 Jul 2008
Rated 14 Jul 2008
80
69th
It's good, but gets old really fast. Decent twist and good performances...especially from Giamatti.
Rated 14 Jul 2008
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