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Illusion (2004)
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Reviews Counted:11
Fresh:4
Rotten:7
Average Rating:4.9/10
Theatrical Release:Feb 17, 2006 Limited
Synopsis: A legendary film director is shown three visions of the life of the son he never knew. As he lies dying, he is given one last chance to affect his son's life. Legendary film director DONALD... A legendary film director is shown three visions of the life of the son he never knew. As he lies dying, he is given one last chance to affect his son's life. Legendary film director DONALD BAINES lies dying alone in his private screening room, watching the films he has devoted his life to creating. Having isolated himself from family and friends, he now regrets many personal sacrifices. The rejection of his illegitimate child, CHRISTOPHER, brings him the most pain. Having seen him only once 30 years ago. Late one night, Donald is awakened by the ghostly image of STAN, a favorite editor who has been dead more than 35 years. Suddenly Donald finds his deathbed transported to an old movie house. Stan informs Donald that he has come to help and that he will show him three films - three visions - each vision representing a different period of Christopher's life. The first vision brings Donald into the teenage life of Christopher who is in the thoes of his first blush with love. A rebel and a romantic, Christopher proclaims is love for a girl he has only seen from afar and chances it all for an opportunity to spend some time with her. A nagging voice, which sounds like the father he never knew echoes in his head tells him he is not worthy. A wild romp marks the second vision of the 20s-something life of Christopher as he tries to escape an artistic maelstrom and finds himself face to face with the love he had for a brief moment and lost from the first vision. His life takes a brutal twist as he finds and yet again he is torn from his love. The last vision Donald sees is the return of Christopher now as a mature man, wearied from the difficult curveballs life has thrown him. Again looking for love, this is his last chance and perhaps his only chance to rid himself of what he imagines to be his father's haunting disapproval. Donald Baines is also given an opportunity to make a difference… but after such a long time can he take the leap or was it all just an Illusion? --© Official Site [More]
Starring: Kirk Douglas, Michael A. Goorjian, Bryan Cranston, Richmond Arquette
Starring: Kirk Douglas, Michael A. Goorjian, Bryan Cranston, Richmond Arquette, Ted Raimi, Kevin Weisman, Ron Marasco
Director: Michael A. Goorjian
Director: Michael A. Goorjian
Reviews for Illusion
It's a joy to see Kirk Douglas on screen again. That's not quite enough to make this...recommendable, but it's a reason you might want to take a look at it despite the flaws.
Ironically, for a movie about the film business, Illusion is shot on grungy video and looks terrible.
No doubt the director worked with what he could get, and was extremely fortunate that he could get an icon of the screen to bless his project.
One of the worst dramas I have ever seen. In fact, this movie is so dramatically inept that I wanted to tear my eyeballs out.
The unabashed melodrama of the flashbacks and present-day climax can't compete with the theatrical oomph provided by Douglas and Marasco...at the picture's spine.
Several of its transitions are glaringly contrived, and its morality tale never quite comes together to be the shattering spiritual experience it wants to be.
Douglas does his best acting while watching and reacting to what he sees on screen. If this ends up being his cinematic swan song, it will not have been a bad way to go.
There's a sincerity to the filmmaking here that's at times quite touching: Illusion presents a portrait of true love that's as picture perfect as the sunny spring garden in which we see Isabelle.
Unavoidably, there are some sugary moments and clichés such as rain-soaked kisses and outlandish "artistic" stage performances, but [Illusion] keeps hold of that just-another-day-in-Hollywood feeling.
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 68% 68% | The Last Station | 12/23 |
| 68% 68% | Sherlock Holmes | 12/25 |
| 50% 50% | It's Complicated | 12/25 |
| 49% 49% | Nine | 12/25 |
| 18% 18% | Alvin and the Chipmunk… | 12/25 |
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