Overview
A poignant tale of a magician's fading glory and the unexpected friendship that reignites his passion.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- wistful
- tender
- melancholic
- quiet evening
- reflective afternoon
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as a beautifully designed, tender, contemplative work of adult animation, while some found its characterization and emotional impact thinner than its visual achievement.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Tatischeff loses bookings and audiences as emerging rock stars capture public attention.
The magician's relationship with Alice and his professional decline are conveyed through restrained dialogue and expressive animation.
The aging illusionist's friendship with his young fan Alice becomes the emotional center of the story.
The stage entertainer's circuit of fringe theaters and garden parties is overtaken by the rise of rock music.
Films like The Illusionist, and why
The Triplets of Belleville
whimsical observational comedy, visual storytelling, and affection for eccentric outsiders
Playtime
quietly comic physical performance, urban modernity, and the influence of Jacques Tati
The Artist
melancholic portrait of an aging entertainer displaced by changing popular culture
Movie Details
- Director
- Sylvain Chomet
- Release Date
- 2010-06-16
- Runtime
- 80 min
- Rating
- 7.3 / 10 (697)
Cast
- Jean-Claude Donda
- Eilidh Rankin
- Didier Gustin
- Jil Aigrot
- Jacques Tati
- Duncan MacNeil
- Raymond Mearns
- James T. Muir
- Tom Urie
- Paul Bandey
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Illusionist about?
- An aging stage magician and an impressionable young admirer find fleeting tenderness amid the cultural eclipse of vaudeville-era wonder.
- What is The Illusionist like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Illusionist as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Illusionist violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Illusionist.
- What did critics think of The Illusionist?
- Critics broadly praised the film as a beautifully designed, tender, contemplative work of adult animation, while some found its characterization and emotional impact thinner than its visual achievement.
- Which films are like The Illusionist?
- Films with a similar feel include The Triplets of Belleville, Playtime, and The Artist.
- How long is The Illusionist?
- The Illusionist runs 80 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Illusionist?
- In United States, The Illusionist is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand.
