New Film: The Illusionist

[Richard Kaufman]

This today:

Norton Takes Magical Role in "The Illusionist"
Posted by RT-News on Friday, Jan. 14, 2005, 01:20 PM

RT-News writes: "Edward Norton will play the lead in "The Illusionist," to be directed by Neil Burger, Variety reports. Norton will play a magician in early 1900s Vienna who tries to use his powers to win the love of a woman above his social standing. Norton will also be working on an indie film, "Down in the Valley," with Evan Rachel Wood."

[Guest]

Sounds cool. I'm an Edward Norton fan to boot.

[John Tudor]

It looks like "the Illusionist" starring Ed Norton (based upon Steven Millhauser's short story, found in the anthology titled The Barnum Museum, magic consultant: Ricky Jay) is the breakout film in the Sundance film festival.
About "a magician who may or may not have supernatural powers, who uses his dark arts to win the love of a Princess away from the Crown Prince in 19th century Vienna."
Lots of info is on Norton's site: http://www.edward-norton.org/illusionist.html
The festival description is here:
http://festival.sundance.org/filmguide/ ... ?film=6590
Variety's very positive review here:
http://www.edward-norton.org/illusionis ... eview.html

[John Tudor]

And some video clips are here: http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout ... 1830014954

[John Tudor]

This one just gets more and more interesting, from the Hollywood Reporter:
"Still, with Ricky Jay as the magic advisor, the stunts themselves -- an orange tree that blossoms on stage, a sword that stands upright in the ground, spirits from the dead stalking the theater -- are performed authentically as they would have been done at the turn of the last century. Burger (the director)purposely used little CGI for the magic and tries to follow a trick from beginning to end without cutting away, so the illusions can be experienced as they would have been by the audience at that time. "
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/re ... 1001920776

[Guest]

There was an article in USA Today on Feb 15th about this and other magic movies coming out soon.

I think you can read it online

[Joe Pecore]

USA Today article

[JC Stardust]

Ed Norton and Paul Giamatti are 2 actors that I love. They both are very good at their art.

I found Norton amazing in Fight Club where not to many actors could have pulled that "stunt".
Giamatti will always be Pig Vomit for me. When I first viewed the Howard Stern movie I said that Giamatti would go far.

The movie looks good but a bit slow paced if I trust the previews ... still I would like to go and see it.

[Guest]

Ed Norton is a woefully under rated actor. I can't wait to see this. Altho I'm one of the few people who hasn't seen Fight Club, his performances in Rounders and Red Dragon were phenomenal. Red Dragon especially...

-Phil

5 old Gambling Catalogs available again!
http://www.commandperform.com

[Robert Allen]

Edward Norton is a true, skilled, actor. Unlike so many pretty faces that are 'actors' today. Fight Club is an excellent example of his skill, as is Rounders.

[Guest]

What do we know about the progress of this project to date? It really looks like a good one.

Bob Sanders
Magic By Sander

[Richard Kaufman]

The PR Agent for the studio has arranged a screening for me in mid-June, so I'll be able to give a fuller report then. Expect an article in Genii as well.

[Richard Perrin]

Hey to all Magicians and fans of magic,

I am looking forward to see this movie comes out. It is very RARE to see performer do the magic stuffs in movie that the story was about a performer!

By the way, I am in Miami Beach, Florida for the night and prepare to ride on cruise today (my first time!) and I hope that there's a magic show. I will keep you post!

Richard

[Guest]

Richard et al,

Have you heard anything more about the film 'The Prestige'?

It will likely come out after 'The Illusionist'.

Let me say again, track down this novel and read it!

[Richard Kaufman]

The Prestige is the big budget film--look for a late fall or winter release. Ricky Jay actually appears in The Prestige and the magic in it was done by his company Deceptive Practices, which includes Michael Weber.