The Illusionist - DVD

Film: Once the aging magician has successfully toured with his illusions through the variety theaters of his French homeland. But success has long been a thing of the past for him. Now, in the late 1950s, people are no longer interested in magic, only in television and rock`n`roll. In London, the magician hopes to find an enthusiastic audience for his show. But after he has no success here either, he continues touring the country with his old rabbit in search of interested spectators. Finally, on a small Scottish island, he meets a young woman who is fascinated by his illusions and apparently still believes in magic. Even when he gives her a pair of new shoes, the young woman believes in magic and decides to follow the illusionist to Edinburgh. Always concerned with not disappointing his audience, he keeps conjuring up new gifts for his new companion, but has to take jobs on the side for which he is really so unqualified...

With The Illusionist, Sylvain Chomet delivers the long-awaited follow-up to The Great Race of Bellevue. He used an unfilmed screenplay by Jacques Tati as a basis, to which Chomet then paid tribute in the film in several ways. For example, the illusionist visits a cinema in Edinburgh where a film by Tati is being shown. Moreover, the character of the aging magician is modeled after the great director, actor, and comedian. However, the story of the illusionist trying to maintain his old successes and the effect his illusions have on audiences in a rapidly changing world is far more than just a tribute to Jacques Tati.

Much more, Chomet has directed an enchanting film about two people who feel completely lost in the world and find each other as a result. How they change as a result and what the ultimate consequences are for their unlikely friendship is told in The Illusionist with a mixture of wistfulness, whimsical humor and emotional wallowing in nostalgia. Almost entirely without dialogue, Chomet lets his pictures do most of the talking. These are so lovingly drawn and filled with an immense love of detail that as a viewer you are only too happy to lose yourself in them.

To admit, both the hand-drawn style of the animations and the wordless, sustained narrative form of the story are the complete opposite of what is currently offered in the animation sector. There, computer-created images, colorful, loud and fast action, and rather superficial humor dominate the action. This of course makes it very difficult for The Illusionist to appeal to a wider audience. But The Great Race of Bellevue has already proven that even very weird, extraordinary and, at its core, original animated art can delight viewers. And even if The Illusionist doesn't have quite as many original ideas as its predecessor, many who are open-minded about artful animated cinema will surely be enchanted by the charm of the characters and the warmth of the story. And that is then truly not an illusion, but a very real feeling. Absolutely recommended!

Image + Sound: The very clean image is primarily pleasing for its bold, warm colors. Even though the style of the animations doesn't make them look quite as slick as one has become accustomed to from animated films, the DVD's visuals are of a very high standard. The picture is absolutely crisp and clean and shows off the many little playful details well. Since the film is almost completely devoid of dialogue and only discreet music is used here and there, minor sound effects and atmospheric ambient noises dominate the very restrained tonal proceedings. This is admittedly not impressive, but absolutely appropriate for this film. And therefore there is also here a deserved: Good!

Extras: As a bonus, the DVD still offers a very brief insight into the work of the cartoonists of the film, as well as the trailer and other program tips of the provider.

Conclusion: The Illusionist is a charming animated film that doesn't quite match the whimsicality of its predecessor, The Great Race of Bellevue, but makes up for that shortcoming with plenty of charm and some quite wonderful ideas. Certainly the almost wordless story, based on a screenplay by Jacques Tati, is not aimed at a mass audience and takes some getting used to in its unconventional way. But if you like playful arthouse fare and unconventional animated films, this is definitely not one to miss. Absolutely recommended!

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp