68
Metascore
37 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 90Village VoiceVillage VoiceBeautifully 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.
- 83Entertainment WeeklyLisa SchwarzbaumEntertainment WeeklyLisa SchwarzbaumThe Illusionist looks rigorously styled and measured, and every one of Norton's postures feels chosen. Yet the interesting actor has chosen so thoughtfully that we're riveted.
- 80The Hollywood ReporterThe Hollywood ReporterOutstanding production values and mysterious subject matter give the film a surprisingly opulent feel for an independent Sundance entry.
- 80TimeRichard CorlissTimeRichard CorlissBy the end, the canniest viewers may not be fooled, but--and you can believe this--they may be mesmerized.
- 75Rolling StonePeter TraversRolling StonePeter TraversEdward Norton is at his best here, chalking up another boundary-stretching performance this year in the wake of the unfairly overlooked "Down in the Valley."
- 75ReelViewsJames BerardinelliReelViewsJames BerardinelliAn infectious mix of romance, mystery, and magic.
- 70VarietyTodd McCarthyVarietyTodd McCarthyA bizarre story of intrigue, magic and murder in turn-of-the-century Vienna casts a considerable spell in The Illusionist.
- 67The A.V. ClubScott TobiasThe A.V. ClubScott TobiasThe results are reasonably clever and impeccably executed, but one of these days, Burger is going to have to pull more from his hat than just the rabbit.
- 40Film ThreatFilm ThreatWhile it might have made a good short, as a feature film The Illusionist comes across like a magician whose tricks are transparent.
- 40L.A. WeeklyScott FoundasL.A. WeeklyScott FoundasThe movie is leaden and self-serious, with an unusually hollow performance from Norton, who's not for a moment convincing as a man of raging passion. Far better is Paul Giamatti.