The Illusionist (Neil Burger) - 2006

Edward Norton is excellent as the magician in Vienna around 1900.  He wants to be with Sophie (Jessica Biel) the Duchess but he is a commoner and the odds are against.  Sophie is betrothed to the evil prince (Rufus Sewell) who rules the city with an iron fist.  Paul Giamatti is the weak-kneed inspector who is afraid to confront the evil prince for fear of his position in town.  Norton is a competent illusionist who hass some neat tricks and seems to know people in China who invented the hologram.  Norton's greatest illusion is the one designed to win his Duchess.  The ending is satisfying although not very believable. [JAM 12/25/2009]