The Illusionist (2006)

"Beautifully acted and handsomely mounted, this gorgeous period piece is an intelligent and intriguing exploration of "the dark arts" -- less dependent on mere hocus-pocus than on the convincing journey of the soul undertaken by its hero..."

"This entertaining movie is content to be something a bit more modest: a pungent period folk tale that teases you until the very end..."

"Outstanding production values and mysterious subject matter give the film a surprisingly opulent feel for an independent Sundance entry..."

"Sewell and Giamatti ham it up as the imperious pretender to the throne and his ambitious but conflicted minion in this uncheesy but entertainingly tricky mystery. There's more heat between the two of them than between the sappy lovers..."

"While it might have made a good short, as a feature film The Illusionist comes across like a magician whose tricks are transparent..."

"It’s not on a gasp-inducing making-the-Statue-Of-Liberty-disappear level, but with its opulent presentation and confident storytelling, The Illusionist has the power to keep an audience rapt like a good old-fashioned card trick..."

"Director Neil Burger captures every scene in an evocative daguerreotype tone. Not everyone will be taken in by the plot's final twist, but even if you guess how Eisenheim does it, you'll be won over by his showmanship..."