Rating of
3.5/4
mdtinney - wrote on 10/17/09
This film seems to pile comments on both sides of the teeter-totter. Some are negative and some (like me) seem to like the total package of The Illusionist. Negative comments appear to focus on specifics - Why this or that for location. I hate one actor or another's performance. Yawn factor to wow factor. What are you to believe? My best guess it that some viewers don't like to be drawn in, fooled, and then left wanting more. This is an excellent film with the rare capacity to keep you guessing - if you're willing to suspend your ego and go with it. Instead of red objects to give you clues, they come in the (GASP!) dialogue. You, as the viewer, must interact with your intelligence to decide who is the more evil, the more twisted, the most powerful, the more deceptive or the more in love. Delicious. Part of the problem is that a movie with this caliber of viewer participation is rare. Yes, Ed is handsome and convincing. Rufus is intense and real in his madness. Jessica is beautiful. Paul is devilishly fun and Eddie *is* his character. But the story is the most seductive partner in this crime.
