I thought Giamatti..

...'s character was obsessively concerned with being fair. An unlikely state in that historical setting.
At the start of the film, when the boy meets the magician, I thought something surprising was going to happen from the way the backdrops were so obviously painted, but the moment passed.
Like watching a "magician" (David Copperfield springs to mind) on the TV, its not much of a trick to have things happen in a film. BUt this production drove ahead unbothered by such things. The rekindling of childhood romance... shame the boy ran as fast and far as he could as soon as there had been problems.
The plot was not only signposted but spelled out.
As for Biel's character. What was she doing with the prince? She clearly had no interest, but she completely flipped as soon as the magician re-appeared.
How this got past any production meetings is beyond me.
Yes, Vienna looked nice.

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - The Illusionist just opened here - dave c 20:34:00 03/03/07 (12)

I thought it was fun, probably good for a date NT - 4season 10:06:48 03/05/07 (3)

only if i wanted to dump her - dave c 12:20:35 03/05/07 (2)

Sorry dave, but you're apparently in the minority here; if you disliked the film fine, but... - Audiophilander 22:39:08 03/05/07 (1)

just as well we're not all alike... - dave c 01:19:12 03/06/07 (0)

This is one of those films.... - HOK 21:01:32 03/04/07 (0)

Hell, it was a decent enough popcorn film. nt - tinear 11:48:44 03/04/07 (1)

Yep-I liked this much better than the overlong and relentlessly grim The Prestige nt - padreken 11:52:14 03/05/07 (0)

Couldn't disagree more... - JoeKool 23:52:02 03/03/07 (0)

Your opinion is shared by few others who've seen the film, which is no illusion. - Audiophilander 23:08:36 03/03/07 (3)

I thought Giamatti.. - dave c 12:45:34 03/04/07 (2)

No offense, but I think you lack an understanding of the culture and time period. - Audiophilander 12:32:18 03/05/07 (1)

partly - dave c 18:03:47 03/05/07 (0)

Follow Ups

I thought Giamatti.. - dave c 12:45:34 03/04/07 (2)

No offense, but I think you lack an understanding of the culture and time period. - Audiophilander 12:32:18 03/05/07 (1)

partly - dave c 18:03:47 03/05/07 (0)

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