L'illusionniste (2010)

A French illusionist finds himself out of work and travels to Scotland, where he meets a young woman. Their ensuing adventure changes both their lives forever.

Director:

Sylvain Chomet

Writers:

Sylvain Chomet (adaptation), Jacques Tati (original screenplay)

Stars:

Jean-Claude Donda, Eilidh Rankin, Duncan MacNeil

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 8 wins & 23 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview:
Jean-Claude Donda	...	The Illusionist / French Cinema Manager (voice)
Eilidh Rankin	...	Alice (voice)
Duncan MacNeil	...	Additional Voices (voice)
Raymond Mearns	...	Additional Voices (voice)
James T. Muir	...	Additional Voices (voice)
Tom Urie	...	Additional Voices (voice)
Paul Bandey	...	Additional Voices (voice)

Storyline

Details the story of a dying breed of stage entertainer whose thunder is being stolen by emerging rock stars. Forced to accept increasingly obscure assignments in fringe theaters, garden parties and bars, he meets a young fan who changes his life forever.

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Plot Keywords:

theater | french | stage | scene after end credits | tragedy | 

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Genres:

Animation | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic elements and smoking

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [France] Official site [Japan]

Country:

UK France

Language:

English French Scottish Gaelic

Release Date:

16 June 2010 (France)

Also Known As:

Illusionisten

Filming Locations:

Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

Box Office

Budget:

£11,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$38,594 (USA) (24 December 2010)

Gross:

$2,231,024 (USA) (6 May 2011)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Pathé, Django Films, Ciné B

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The restaurant on Victoria Street where they discuss eating rabbit is called McDaunnalds.

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Goofs

Taxis shown in London and Edinburgh are the FX4 type common from 1958 to the present day. However, the design of the rear lights being a long oval, which in real life include the rear direction indicators, was not introduced until 1968. At the time of the film's setting the rear lights were small red units, roughly pyramid-shaped, and the direction indicators were situated on the roof of the car (and stuck out, like 'ears').

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Crazy Credits

At the end of the final credits, there's a short bonus scene.

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Connections

Referenced in Ebert Presents: At the Movies: Episode #1.3 (2011)

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Soundtracks

Chanson Illusionist
Written & Composed by Sylvain Chomet
Published by Django Films Ltd
Performed by Didier Gustin, Jil Aigrot, and Frédéric Lebon

User Reviews

You won't find a 2010 movie more visually beautiful than this one.

Based on an unpublished script by Jacques Tati, The Illusionist follows a magician named Tatischeff, a man whose art form of illusion is dying. He begins taking any job that comes along his way, and even while in Scotland, is accompanied by a young girl named Alice. Tatischeff and Alice develop a sort of father/daughter bond, and Tatischeff ponders his own life as well.

The film is directed by Sylvain Chomet, the man probably best known for his 2003 animated art-house feature The Triplets of Belleville. One thing that I simply adore about The Illusionist is that Chomet follows closely to the phrase "Actions speak louder than words." The film's dialogue is minimal, and for it's storytelling relies almost entirely on animation, body language, and a simple, but beautiful musical score written by Chomet himself.

This isn't even mentioning the animation style itself. I've seen many 2010 movies, but The Illusionist is easily the most gorgeous. The characters are given fluid and realistic movements, and the ambient surroundings of the city and hillsides are outstanding examples of art-direction. I practically had to suppress the tears (And no, I'm not kidding).

You may find a movie you like better than The Illusionist, but frankly, I don't think you'll be able to find a SINGLE. DAMN. MOVIE. more beautiful than this one.

I give it ***1/2 out of ****