The Illusionist

The Illusionist is a good film that becomes great if you know why it came to be. It was penned by Jacques Tati: the prolific, renowned French director of fifty years ago. His films were great, and this screenplay was especially personal. For, Tati was in a position where he felt his craft (filmmaking) was failing him. He felt worn out and useless, and so he wrote the screenplay for The Illusionist. Tati died in the early 80's, and now in 2010, this film comes out. It is directed by Sylvain Chomet, and drawn gorgeously. It's an animated film, and for the most part: silent. This suits the film well, and gives it a magical quality. That quality is perfect to accompany the story, which follows an aging magician. The world is changing and he is becoming irrelevant. No one cares for magicians anymore, and he has a hard time finding work. One day at a gig, he befriends a young girl. Here we see the magician attempting to implant wonder within her. It's beautiful, and the way the film is delightfully whimsical and then trenchantly sad is the mark of a strong director. I think that three things make this film worthwhile. 1) The artistry. For animation is rarely so beautifully drawn. 2) The whimsy contrasted with the sadness. 3) The magician as a metaphor for Jacques Tati. Both feel as if their arts are irrelevant. Perhaps such a film in the tradition of Tati, thirty years after his death, proves him wrong.

The Illusionist: ✰✰✰1/2