The Illusionist

This is not the French animated film from last year but the Edward Norton magician film that was released in 2006.  As regularly occurs in Hollywood, while one studio is making a certain type of film, a rival studio is making a similar film in competition.  For example, Dante's Peak and Volcano, A Bug's Life and Antz, Star Wars and Battlestar Galactica.  In the same year, Christopher Nolan released his magician film, The Prestige, which I really enjoyed.  Starring Australia's Hugh Jackman and the cast of Batman Begins, it had a really wonderfully dark twist to the end of the film but I think it ended on a negative note with an ambiguity to the main characters in that who was the good guy and who was the bad guy?
Not so with The Illusionist.  Oh yes, Edward Norton is brilliant in playing ambiguous characters and he plays his part well here.  The story is of a young boy of lowly heritage who begins to learn magic while falling in love with the local Duchess.  When they are torn apart by the police, our hero, Eduard Eisenheim, travels to China to learn more about being a great magician.  Many years later, he returns to Vienna, as the VERY successful Eisenheim the Illusionist, and discovers his long lost love is about to become the wife of Crown Prince Leopold.  After discovering that the Prince has a reputation for brutality towards women and a plan to usurp his father, Eisenheim puts a plan in to action to save his Sophie.
Throughout the film, he is investigated by Inspector Uhl, played brilliantly by the wonderful actor, Paul Giamatti.  Who's side is he on?  What does he get for working for the Prince?
The film starts with Inspector Uhl about to arrest Eisenheim for continuing to raise the spirits of the dead, (in this case the 'spirit' of the Sophie) which he does VERY convincingly.  Is it real or is it illusion?
This is a wonderfully made film.  It's techniques of sepia tones and iris fades give it an late 19th century feel, the acting is exceptional and the story is fantastic.  Of course there is a twist to the tale and it is half the fun trying to figure it out.  This would have to be one of Jessica Biel's best performances.  I really loved this film and I think it is better than The Prestige.  I can't think of anything I wrong with this film.  I give it 10/10.