Cloud Cuckoo
Posts: 393
Joined: 7/2/2013
From: Mind your own
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I've just watched this French animation in an ongoing bid to cure my insomnia. Unfortunately I was rather enraptured and so it has failed in its task (which, given my love of all things art, was a bit of a long shot to begin with).
It cannot be easy to narrate a feature-length story with almost no dialogue at all, but The Illusionist manages it beautifully. The tale is of a magician, the eponymous illusionist, and how his dwindling fortunes lead him from the stages of Paris to the parties of London, and then north of Hadrian's Wall. I won't give any more away, except to say he picks up a companion en route.
I enjoyed the traditional 2D animation, which is unmistakably Gallic in style - the lead character could not look more French if he was wearing a Picasso striped t-shirt and had onions draped round his neck. For me, however, it really came into its own when the action moved to Scotland, particularly the part in Edinburgh (where most of the film is based). As a native of that glorious city, I was really impressed with how the French portrayed it. Certain aspects were exaggerated, but many were faithful and it was quite beautiful to behold. They even captured the quality of light.
Though many of the characters are eccentric (including a very creepy ventriloquist), it is a quiet and gentle film. I came to feel a kind of sad affection for the illusionist. It is a wearied and poignant piece, full of pathos, and as such I was amused to see the films that those who had watched this had gone on to watch - all children's films. Parents really should stop assuming all animation is aimed at kids. This is an artistic vision for grown-ups to enjoy.
So, anyone else like this? 
_____________________________
In Thom we trust.
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The Illusionist - 
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