Films/DVD Asylum

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Audiophilander

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In Reply to: The Illusionist just opened here posted by dave c on March 3, 2007 at 20:34:00:

I found The Illusionist to be an excellent film with fine actors whose performances I genuinely cared about. It's not perfect, mind you, but a minor gem nonetheless, with rich period setting and only a few faults (mostly to do with the overenthusiastic CGI "magic" effects). Jessica Biel, who you unfairly denigrated with that "second rate Scarlett Johansson" remark, was perfectly cast and very appealing as the passion driven Edward Norton's 'lost love' interest, as was Paul Giamatti's portrayal of the ambitious, status conscious, public servant.
AuPh

The Illusionist (Open in New Window)

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I thought Giamatti.. - dave c 12:45:34 03/04/07 (2)
...'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.
- No offense, but I think you lack an understanding of the culture and time period. - Audiophilander 12:32:18 03/05/07 (1)
  > > > "I thought Giamatti's character was obsessively concerned with being fair. An unlikely state in that historical setting." < < <
  Not at all. The fact that he had to placate the aristocracy didn't conflict with his personal struggle to maintain his position as an honest public servant. It was a difficult balance, but in a period when the old ways of royalty having absolute political authority were in decline and the growing bourgeoisie's bureaucratic influence was in ascendence, such behavior does not appear out of place.
  > > > "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." < < <
  Again, this was still a period when aristocratic power held some sway, especially when it came to affairs of state, including arranged marriages. She had little control and was serving her family's and the state's requirements out of honor, and possibly fear of reprisal against those close to her. Her childhood lover's scheme played perfectly into this scenario.
  FYI, my wife and I screened this film on a 10' screen for a large groups of friends attending our housewarming party back in January just after The Illusionist was released on DVD. At the end of the film there was unanimous applause that even surprised me! Apparently this movie clicked with an audience of our frinds, to a person!
  Cheers,
  AuPh
  - partly - dave c 18:03:47 03/05/07 (0)
    Obviously arranged marriages were a part of, and in fact are still a part of the lives of the inbred royalties of Europe, bu the character had no substance whatsoever, merely walking onstage and off into the mists of wherever.
    That the royal family themselves or the police made no examination of the body is bizarre, although Giamatti's character did hold her hand, so presumably she had taken an unmentioned drug so powerful as to stop her heart, chill her blood and soon allow for an antidote.
    Mind you, in my opinion, her acting didn't suffer from her dying...
    The policeman being fair was my response to your opinion that he was obsessed with status. I didn't notice that unless you meant his comment that the prince was untouchable within his palace (was it a palace?).
    If you liked it, then fine, I really couldn't figure why anyone had described it well at all.
    While not as laughable as Little Children, its certainly on my forgettable list for this year.

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