The Illusionist is an attractively done piece of work, that leaves a relatively small impression.

| Feb 14, 2021

The Illusionist is a deceptively simple yet magical cinematic experience.

| Original Score: 3.5/4.0 | Sep 11, 2020

The legerdemain of The Illusionist is done with more finesse...it is that feeling of elation that makes it magic.

| Feb 28, 2020

I've always been a fan of Norton and he again delivers a very good performance. Sewell is pretty good as the adversary and Paul Giamatti has a nice role as an inspector trying to uncover Eisenheim's secrets.

| Original Score: B | Nov 20, 2019

For a good while, The Illusionist is topflight entertainment, but viewers who can't anticipate the big twist should dig out those old Encyclopedia Brown paperbacks and begin rebuilding their sleuthing skills from there.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Jun 29, 2019

A magical and engrossing experience where nothing is ever what it seems.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Jun 6, 2019

I can assure you, with all confidence, that the movie is dumb. Really, really, dumb.

| Mar 1, 2018

So, in short? Well, the scenery is very pleasant and this film would kill a couple of hours on a plane. But I don't think I'd advise schlepping to the cinema rather than, say, staying at home for a nap then a bit of cheese.

| Jan 30, 2018

| Original Score: B | Feb 18, 2012

A fond animated farewell to Jacques Tati

| May 15, 2011

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

| Original Score: 7/10 | Mar 27, 2011

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Jan 22, 2011

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

| Original Score: 8/10 | Jul 24, 2010

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

| Original Score: 2/4 | Jul 7, 2010

Unabashedly old-fashioned and fantastically pulpy.

| Jan 22, 2010

Straddles fascination and irritation

| Aug 30, 2009

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.

| Jun 17, 2009

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.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Apr 29, 2009

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.

| Oct 18, 2008

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

| Original Score: 3/5 | Apr 22, 2008