Saw The Illusionist last night through Creative Screenwriting's screening series. That's why I love LA. Want to see a movie for free and meet the people who wrote it? No problem. Just another Wednesday night in town.
Anyway, it was a very stylized film. It had just a distinct tone to it, very sepia and eerie music by Philip Glass. It did a good job of catching you up in this world and making you believe in it. It's about a magician who falls in love with an uptown girl who's the assumed property of the crown prince.
The acting was phenominal. Rufus Sewell played his usual over-the-top bad guy. I wish his motivation was clearer earlier in the film, but he does have a nice speech that gives you a glimpse into why he does the things he does. Jessica Biel played an unexpected part and played it well, but the film really belonged to Edward Norton and Paul Giamatti. Those two guys can act their pants off. How does Ed Norton mold himself like that? He's charming guy and tragic guy and devious guy all in the same film.
My only problem with the movie is that I saw almost everything coming. It's my fault, really. As an English teacher and a writer, I know foreshadowing when I hear it, and the ending was foreshadowed about ten minutes into the movie. But if you're not sitting there, analyzing the language, the film will catch you up. In that way it reminded me of The Westing Game, or of an episode of Hustle, which is a compliment. It's not so much what the magician does, it's how he does it that mystifies you.
So in that way, the film is true to its intent. It's a nice little fairy tale of love and tragedy and magic and sacrifice. Plus, it's pretty.
Emily, thanks for sharing news of the Creative Screenwriting screenings with the rest of the class. I'd never heard of them before. I'm planning on moving to greater L.A. next year, and this is one big reason why: bad ass screenings on school nights.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy your blog. You have possibly the best day job a screenwriter could want. Not only are you immersed in language on a daily basis, but your kids are a neverending well of potential material. Based on what I've read, I have a feeling you're destined for success.
Been on the lookout for this one, since I'm pitching a Houdini project now and again. Ed Norton...man, he can kick some ass...
ReplyDeleteIn fact, here's a painting of Ed Norton kicking some ass.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.brandonbird.com/spidey.html
Thanks, Joe. All you have to do to get invited to the screenings is sign up on the CS website for the email alerts. But free screenings are pretty common in LA. One of my friends works as a guy who gives out passes on the street for test audiences. Then there's the free TV tapings where they give you muffins.
ReplyDeleteChris, you should download the podcast of the post-movie interview (also on the CS website) because they talked about some of pitfalls of making a movie about magic.
And that picture of Ed Norton is a little frightening.
Always loved the Ed Norton, espcially in American History X. I saw the Illusionist trailer a while back, didn't do much for me, Rufus Sewell's one note bad guys are getting pretty lame (but he was great in Dark City) but after your review maybe it's worth checking out.
ReplyDeleteThe Prestige looks excellent, shares some of the same themes it seems. Hey, that rhymed! I'm a poet and I didn't even realize it!