The Illusionist

Original title: L'illusionniste

2010
PG
1h 20m

IMDb RATING

7.4/10

37K

YOUR RATING

The Illusionist is one of a dying breed of stage entertainers. With emerging rock stars stealing his thunder in the late 1950s, he is forced to accept increasingly obscure assignments in fringe theatres, at garden parties and in bars and cafÃ©s. However, whilst performing in a village pub off the west coast of Scotland, he encounters Alice, an innocent young girl, who will change his life forever.

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Animation Drama Fantasy

A French illusionist finds himself out of work and travels to Scotland, where he meets a young woman. Their ensuing adventure changes both their lives forever.A French illusionist finds himself out of work and travels to Scotland, where he meets a young woman. Their ensuing adventure changes both their lives forever.A French illusionist finds himself out of work and travels to Scotland, where he meets a young woman. Their ensuing adventure changes both their lives forever.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.4/10

37K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 7 wins & 35 nominations total

Alice
(voice)

Duncan MacNeil

Additional Voices
(voice)

Raymond Mearns

Additional Voices
(voice)

James T. Muir

Additional Voices
(voice)

Tom Urie

Additional Voices
(voice)

Paul Bandey

Additional Voices
(voice)

Jacques Tati

Monsieur Hulot
(archive footage)
(uncredited)

Director
- Sylvain Chomet
Writers
- Sylvain Chomet
- Jacques Tati
All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
When the Illusionist is performing at the Scottish pub, one of the patrons in the foreground, near the middle of the frame, is the famous "Young Girl and Old Woman" optical illusion.

Goofs
Despite being set in 1959/1960, the Scottish Police motorcycles have 'American-style' sirens, which were not introduced until the 1980s.

Crazy credits
At the end of the final credits, there's a short bonus scene.

Connections
Featured in Ebert Presents: At the Movies: No Strings Attached/The Company Men/The Way Back/The Dilemma/The Green Hornet (2011)

Soundtracks
My Girl Blue
Written & Composed by Malcolm Ross
Published by Django Films Ltd
Performed by Malcolm Ross, Iain Stoddart (as Ian Stoddart), and Leo Condie aka - "The Britoons"

User reviews129

Featured review

7/10

Beautifully made but plot lacking colour.

When I went to go see this film at the Edinburgh Film Festival there was a big buzz surrounding it. People were enthralled that a movie would focus so much on the city, but did it do Edinburgh justice?

A few minutes into the movie Edinburgh comes into picture. Set in the 1950's we see a quiet and very quaint Edinburgh. It features heavily on many of the monuments still present today and I love the way we see the architecture unaffected by modern builds. It made me wish I lived back then. The 3D shot that encapsulates all of Edinburgh in one go, is mind-blowing.

However, as much as I loved seeing Edinburgh in the wonderful rich colours of detail, I was disappointed by the rather gloomy feel to the movie. Yes, it has its charming moments, especially with the merry, drunk Scotsman character, but much of the side plots and main plots I feel are a tad melancholy which in turn, sobered my experience of the film.

The little dialogue (mainly in French and Gaelic; I don't understand either) is pretty easy to follow, but during the end of the film I was left cold when I misunderstood small phrases. It did frustrate me a little, but it led me to interpret the film differently, giving an ambiguous feel to an overall very charming and impressive piece of animation.