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© DR - L'ILLUSIONNISTE de Neil Burger (2006) p19
20/08/2013 12:20
La critique de DevilDead (fin)
Robert-Houdin, on le retrouvera justement dans un petit documentaire français d’un peu plus de vingt minutes. L’éditeur a eu l’excellente idée de l’inclure puisque le personnage principal du film est grandement inspiré par Robert-Houdin. Si l’on pourra voir à redire concernant les petites saynètes de magie, pas vraiment dans le ton, entrecoupant le déroulement du documentaire, il faut reconnaître que cet avant-goût du personnage est passionnant. On pourra d’ailleurs y découvrir que pas mal des tours, y compris celui de l’oranger, réalisés dans L’ILLUSIONNISTE prennent leurs racines dans ceux de l’illusionniste français.
*
Le Making Of n’est, quant à lui, pas franchement informatif. Sur un peu moins de quatre minutes, il va donc mêler des interventions de différents interlocuteurs, plus particulièrement les acteurs, et survoler de façon très promotionnelle les points forts du film. Cela s’avère déjà plus intéressant lorsque l’on découvre une interview de Edward Norton enregistré lors du Festival de Deauville. L’acteur a, cette fois, un peu plus de temps pour s’exprimer même s’il est en mode promotionnel dans un tel contexte.
Deux scènes coupées sont présentées l’une après l’autre. Aucune information n’est donnée quant à leur suppression du montage final. Toutefois, on peut facilement supposer que les deux tours de magie présentés étaient un peu trop « irréaliste » techniquement et donc tranchaient avec l’aspect rationnel du film. Les derniers suppléments sont une sélection de bandes-annonces dont celle de L’ILLUSIONNISTE. Notons enfin que deux d’entre elles, LE NOMBRE 23 et LITTLE CHILDREN, sont présentés automatiquement à l’insertion du DVD.
Antoine Rigaud
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© DR - L'ILLUSIONNISTE de Neil Burger (2006) p20
20/08/2013 16:18
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© DR - L'ILLUSIONNISTE de Neil Burger (2006) p21
20/08/2013 16:21
La critique US des spectateurs ImdB
Brilliant movie, exceptional all around
This movie was stunning in many aspects. Visually in terms of locations, inside and out, there was great consistency and a nothing seemed strained. The story weaved fluidly through these locations and seemed to make the locales a vital part of the story.
*
Ed Norton was mesmerizing a superb performance that allowed the story to unfold seemingly at his discretion Jess Biel was very believable and stunningly beautiful. Paul Giamatti (sp) played an admirable role and took the viewer by surprise in many elements of the story.
*
The story was fresh and imaginative, very intriguing. Not as predictable as you would think. We saw this at a Sundance screening and the entire theater of 500+ seats was full and when the movie was over all you could hear was excited and happy chatter, lots of applause as well. Director came out for a Q&A after and was very amiable in answering questions. Highly recommended!!!
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© DR - L'ILLUSIONNISTE de Neil Burger (2006) p22
20/08/2013 16:23
Like the Moody Blues song asks--"real or just an illusion?"
9 August 2006 | by mkane5 (United States) – See all my reviews
*
Kind of a strange movie but very original and entertaining! It was a Gothic-romance period-piece drama-mystery, and quirky characters and a bizarre--or at least unusual--plot held my interest. Edward Norton's character plays an inscrutable but romantic master illusionist. But is he just a master illusionist or has he developed powers to effect the creepy conjuring of those who have passed on? (Regardless, the guy is so easy on the eyes.)Jessica Biel is beautiful and good in her role but I couldn't help thinking, "Hey, Jessica, Scarlett Johanssen called. She wants her lips back."
Paul Giamatti bothered me just a tad at first because he spoke in a near-whisper and had a scruffy beard so you couldn't read his lips. He got louder and his character developed pretty darned well, thank goodness. Actually, he was fantastic (so what else is new?). The makers of this movie did the same thing the makers of Little Miss Sunshine did--made me want to see the film twice, but for different reasons: LMS because the first time I saw it, I laughed so hard I cried, and I really needed a laugh again (and got it); The Illusionist because I was like the audience for the title character's shows the first time I saw it--
just kind of naive and awed and staring up at the action with my mouth hanging open. So I'll have to see it again and pay attention. Kind of like when my daughter told me to go see The Sixth Sense again and pay attention to what Bruce Willis's character was wearing. (Plot-wise, this is unrelated, folks--just a movie watcher's analogy.)
At first, the old-fashioned circle wipes seemed a little distracting, but in retrospect, they were part of the excellent movie-making decisions that created the illusion of time and place in this film. A really good story with really good art direction and really good actors, costumes and settings. Definitely worth a go-see--or two!
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© DR - L'ILLUSIONNISTE de Neil Burger (2006) p23
20/08/2013 16:26
Norton is mesmerizing
Author: maria-309 from United States
9 August 2006
*
I am a long time fan of the old theatre magicians and have been fascinated by the wave of spiritualism that swept both continents around the turn of the last century. This movie plays off those real life happenings, with the added twist of court and political intrigue. The movie is lush - as a period piece should be - with terrific performances from a true ensemble cast. Edward Norton has the charismatic gaze that makes you believe in every thing he does. Jennifer Biel is tragic and compelling as a woman trapped by society and dubious duty.
*
Paul Giamatti - who seems to be in every other movie these days - is wonderful as a conflicted man unsure of whom he serves. Rufus Sewell, as the Crown Prince Leopold, is that man, and he embodies the boo-hiss villain. Vain and driven, he is larger than life and not one to cross, as the illusionist comes to find out. The music of Philip Glass fits the scenes and add just the right amount of tension. Plus the horses are very old world with large hooves and a heck of a lot of presence. A compelling and beautiful film.
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