Opening

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—— A Green Story
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—— After Earth May 31
—— Now You See Me May 31
100% The Kings of Summer May 31
89% The East May 31

The Illusionist (2006)

tomatometer

74

Average Rating: 6.9/10
Reviews Counted: 186
Fresh: 138 | Rotten: 48

The Illusionist is an engrossing, well-crafted story of mystery, magic and intrigue that is certain to enchant, if not hypnotize, audiences.

83

Average Rating: 7.2/10
Critic Reviews: 42
Fresh: 35 | Rotten: 7

The Illusionist is an engrossing, well-crafted story of mystery, magic and intrigue that is certain to enchant, if not hypnotize, audiences.

audience

83

liked it
Average Rating: 3.8/5
User Ratings: 382,715

My Rating

Movie Info

A supernaturally talented magician attempts to undermine the rigid social structure of turn-of-the-century Vienna by using his powers to win the love of his upper-class, childhood sweetheart in director Neil Burger's cinematic adaptation of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Steven Millhauser's short story. Though the ill-fated childhood romance between cabinetmaker's son Eisenheim (Edward Norton) and upper-class Sophie von Teschen (Jessica Biel) eventually resulted in the heartbroken young man

Jan 9, 2007

$39.7M

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Cast

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All Critics (188) | Top Critics (42) | Fresh (146) | Rotten (50) | DVD (33)

The line between truth and illusion is blurred so persuasively that for a moment or two, you may even believe that a romantic costume drama could stand up to all those special-effects blockbusters in the dog days of summer.

October 18, 2008 Full Review Source: NPR.org
NPR.org
Top Critic IconTop Critic

With exquisite performances (Giamatti's, in particular), it leaves you thrillingly hovering, happily uncommitted to any one interpretation.

February 28, 2007 Full Review Source: Time Out
Time Out
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You may be temporarily beguiled, but not fooled.

February 3, 2007 Full Review Source: Time Out New York
Time Out New York
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What (director Neil) Burger and his colleagues have done is to entrance us with a richly acted, beautifully produced story.

October 26, 2006
The New Republic
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Conjures up a world of mystery, romance and suspense.

September 1, 2006
Philadelphia Inquirer
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The story may be less than credible, but the performances are mostly good, and Giamatti makes an especially strong showing.

September 1, 2006
Denver Rocky Mountain News
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Dark, dazzling turns by Edward Norton and Paul Giamatti, and Jessica Biel makes it achingly romantic.

January 16, 2013 Full Review Source: McClatchy-Tribune News Service
McClatchy-Tribune News Service

A fond animated farewell to Jacques Tati

May 15, 2011 Full Review Source: Movie Habit
Movie Habit

If nothing else, The Illusionist is worth watching solely for Giamatti's Oscar-caliber performance.

March 27, 2011 Full Review Source: ComingSoon.net
ComingSoon.net

A wonderful period film first and secondarily an interesting mystery-romance that keeps you guessing about the big questions until late in the narrative.

July 24, 2010 Full Review Source: Movie Metropolis | Comment (1)
Movie Metropolis

Norton and Paul Giamatti perform wonders, but writer/director Neil Burger ruins the magic, exposing all of his story's tricks by the end.

July 7, 2010 Full Review Source: Boston Phoenix | Comments (3)
Boston Phoenix

Unabashedly old-fashioned and fantastically pulpy.

January 22, 2010 Full Review Source: Baltimore City Paper
Baltimore City Paper

Straddles fascination and irritation

August 30, 2009 Full Review Source: CinePassion
CinePassion

Director Neil Burger effectively evokes a sense of mystery and magic, but the plot grinds too methodically to match the dazzle of the title character's on-stage illusions.

June 17, 2009 Full Review Source: Cinefantastique | Comment (1)
Cinefantastique

An immaculate and utterly gorgeous murder mystery with the trifecta of wonderful direction, great acting, and a plot that twists and turns at every such occasion.

April 29, 2009 Full Review Source: Cinema Crazed
Cinema Crazed

A well-acted, aesthetically lovely movie.

August 26, 2008 Full Review Source: ReelzChannel.com

Magic tricks and a murder mystery. Teens and up.

July 24, 2008 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media
Common Sense Media

Never quite the sum of its parts, this would-be intelligent thriller coasts by on strong supporting performances from Giamatti, Sewell and Biel.

April 22, 2008 Full Review Source: Film4 | Comment (1)

Audience Reviews for The Illusionist

Presto... Sucko!

This was weird - a pretty bad movie with a half-decent ending.

Ed Norton was flat and his accent was laughable. Paul Giamatti carried this flick but... alas.
April 19, 2007
brooklynspo

Super Reviewer

what if they made a twilight zone episode as long as a movie, and then didn't tell you that that's what it was...then you would have this movie: mysterious, romantic, childlike and wondrous. a not-too-chick-flick chick flick. cloaked in the velvet musical tapestry of Philip Glass, and the excellent performances of all involved.
July 12, 2007
UniversalDreamer

Super Reviewer

    1. Chief Inspector Uhl: You can't destroy him you know. You can't bring down the Monarchy!
    2. Eisenheim: I know I can't.
    3. Chief Inspector Uhl: Then don't raise her again! Don't provoke those questions! [short Pause] Eisenheim I don't want to arrest you. I'm a cynical man, God knows. But if your manifestations are somehow real, then even I am willing to admit you're a very special person. And if its a trick, then its equally impressive. Either way you have a gift, so don't make me put you in jail! Promise me you won't do it again!
    4. Eisenheim: I promise you, you'll enjoy this next show.
    5. Chief Inspector Uhl: What do you want?
    6. Eisenheim: Nothing.
    7. Chief Inspector Uhl: Then why bring her back?
    – Submitted by Jidster T (5 months ago)
    1. Chief Inspector Uhl: They don't recognise you.
    2. Crown Prince Leopold: Keep your distance. I don't want to be seen with a Policeman.
    – Submitted by Jidster T (5 months ago)
    1. Crown Prince Leopold: He has tricked you, it is all an illusion!
    2. Chief Inspector Uhl: Perhaps there is truth in this illusion.
    – Submitted by MarieBella C (8 months ago)
    1. Crown Prince Leopold: I know you have been with him!
    2. Duchess Sophie von Teschen: It has nothing to do with you.
    3. Crown Prince Leopold: It has EVERYTHING to do with me!
    – Submitted by MarieBella C (8 months ago)
    1. Eisenheim: I always meant to return... I just... I kept thinking I'll find around the next corner...
    2. Duchess Sophie von Teschen: What?
    3. Eisenheim: A real mystery. I saw remarkable things but the only mystery I never solved was... why my heart couldn't let go of you.
    – Submitted by MarieBella C (8 months ago)
    1. Crown Prince Leopold: And we'll gather our best minds next time. You'll really have a challenge then.
    2. Eisenheim: Then I shall prepare something special. Perhaps I'll make you disappear.
    – Submitted by MarieBella C (8 months ago)

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Foreign Titles

  • The Illusionist (2006) (DE)
  • The Illusionist (2006) (CA)
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