The Illusionist

The Illusionist

This adorable film has been nominated in the animation category for an Oscar. It deserves one. I remember being thrilled with Triplets of Belleville, an earlier film by Sylvain Chomet. I watched for 80 minutes absolutely captivated. Hardly one word is spoken. When they do talk it is purposely hard to make out (and is in French) and it doesn’t even matter. The music is captivating and very central to the total film.

We meet the illusionist as he performs his magic. He travels around Europe with his one suitcase and cart for the ‘magic rabbit’ that comes out of his hat.

His shows are not a great success. The rabbit is a riot. He never wants to stay in the hat and at time tries the illusionist’s patience as he runs around the room or tries to nip his finger.

The illusionist travels to a small village in northern Scotland. Everything is animation. I laughed so hard watching the kilts waving in the breeze. He has to take a train, several boats and a car to arrive at this tiny village. He is hardly a star.

The young cleaning girl take s a fancy to the illusionist and leaves her job to travel with him (uninvited) He buys her a pair of red shoes when he sees her torn old boots. She begins to fancy nice things. Her wardrobe improves with a lovely blue dress and a white coat. The young girl seems to care for him by preparing soup and cleaning the little room where they live. She picks flowers from the hills around to decorate the living quarters. She gets the bedroom and he sleeps uncomfortably on an old couch in the main room.

His shows seem to be dated and not in favor anymore. He keeps traveling carrying his few items of importance.

One day she discovers a young man. I wept for the poor illusionist. Everything seemed to be going in the wrong direction.

The animation is well worth an award. The score is perfect for the picture. This is one talented director and writer. The various characters in the story are so creative and well presented. I loved every minute. There wasn’t a word of understanding. The visual and the music carried the whole film. It is pure entertainment and highly creative.

The original screen play was by Jacques Tati and was dedicated to his young daughter. It is interesting that the illusionist has the name Tatischeff which is Tati’s original name.