Four Stars for the Illusionist

I resisted this movie at first because it reminded me too much of Job from arrested development: "Illusions, Michael!" I thought it would be about two magicians playing tricks on each other--anyone remember Disney's Sword in the Stone?

We were beautifully surprised.

First of all, the film soundtrack is by Philip Glass, one of the greatest and most challenging composers of our time. Truman Show & Koyaanisqatsi were part of my introduction to his work in addition to a creativity class I took in college: our assignment was to sneak into the college library armed with paints and canvas, check out the CD of a modern composer, and paint what we heard in the listening booth without getting caught. I chose Philip Glass. I don't think I need to tell ya'll that it was one of the few classes I got an A+ in. But that's beside the point. Basically, even if a movie is terrible, if Mr. Glass wrote the soundtrack you will not have wasted your time.

Secondly, the photography was breathtaking. It was a combination of old family photographs you find in trunk, vintage-silent-film, with a pinch of CD cover design from the grunge 90s. You really can't describe good photography without the pictures, so you'll have to take my word on it.

Thirdly, the plot was surprisingly strong: part Black Forest, part 19th century opera, part tragedy, all comedy. There were moments when things lagged, especially the love-dialogue--but that's forgivable since love-dialogue is probably the hardest thing to write when trying to be serious. There is a scene that could have been entirely deleted without hurting the film--would have made it more family-friendly if you know what I mean, but over all we both thought it was great. We were completely surprised at the ending.

Even if the story had been terrible, I was so mesmirized by the gorgeousness of this film I don't think I would have minded much.

Thanks to Cody for recommending it: I should add that throughout the film, husband kept saying: "No wonder, Cody liked it, it has history!" or "No wonder Cody liked it, it has mystery!" Ooh, that could be a song.

Anyway, this girl needs to run errands and practice her piano and exercise her bad dog. If anyone has comments about the Illusionist--please don't give away the ending!