The Illusionist

**** Stars

"Everything you have seen here has been an illusion..."

This is why I love the movies.

Edward Norton and Paul Giamatti unite for a dazzling story in this elegant and well-provoked concept behind the world of magic.

Director Neil Burger's screen adaptation of Steven Millhauser's short story 'Eisenheim the Illusionist' stars Edward Norton, in a dynamite role as Eisenheim, a magician in early 1900's Vienna. In his childhood, he fell in love with a young girl, Sophie (Jessica Biel at her best) who is of higher class. Now, when she becomes engaged to a Crown Prince, Eisenheim uses his powers to win her back and undermine the stability of the royal house of Vienna. Chief Inspector Uhl (A perfect Paul Giamatti) investigates Eisenheim's acts of magic and begins to unravel many of his tricks. He is considered almost of a sorcerer to the people. He has a power that can wheel the public into believing the unbelievable.

Forget and forgive the questions of his abilities. Let the story grab you and take you in. If you let it, you be entertained beyond most movies you'll see this year. The Illusionist is a wonderfully old-fashioned tale, filled with juice that was worth the squeeze. It is pure magic.