Review: THE ILLUSIONIST (2010)

Sometimes when an older idea or concept is told in a surprising new style by way of another medium, the result can be a something completely new. And in the case of this new film, something utterly charming. Sylvain Chomet has followed up his 2003’s THE TRIPLETS OF BELLEVILLE with this hand-drawn animated feature based on an unpublished story by the late Jacques Tati (MR. HULOT’S HOLIDAY ) called THE ILLUSIONIST. This tale harkins back to the simpler days of filmmaking while the animation techniques used to tell it are state of the hand-drawn art. It’s almost a leisurely trip back in time to a gentler world of wonder and magic.

THE ILLUSIONIST tells the story of an aging male magician (drawn to resemble Tati) who performs his act,accompanied by an ill-tempered rabbit, to small crowds at a Parisian vaudeville-style theatre. It is the early sixties and contemporary audiences have lost interest in his slight-of-hand and have embraced rock and roll-as embodied by Billy Boy and the Britoons. The magician is soon fired from his old performing home and, with his display poster, rabbit, and case of tricks, heads out to find a new place to work. Performing at a garden party, he attracts the attention of a Scotsman who hires him to entertain at his pub back home. At the island bar Alice, a teenage girl working as a maid, is mesmerized by the older gentleman. At the end of his engagement she sneaks aboard the ferry taking him to the mainland. He insists that she return, but Alice has decided that he needs her to take care of him. The old man relents and soon begins treating her as he would his own daughter. She begins housekeeping for him after he joins a theatre and rents a room at a performers’ hotel. He delights in giving her lavish presents and takes on second and third jobs to make ends meet. Their idyllic life is threatened by her blossoming into a young woman and her interest in a young man.

My words can’t begin to describe the beauty of the artwork in display in this film. The backgrounds are like lush, warm watercolors of the detailed landscapes and intricate old cities and streets. The design of all the characters-not only the main two- is delightful. I found myself awestruck by the details of all the people in scenes set at the ferry, the island, pub, the garden party, and in the theatre. The movement of them is fluid and naturalistic. There’s been some wonderful computer work on screen this year, but this more traditional hand-drawn animation more than holds it’s own. Jacques Tati was in the same mold as the classic silent movie comedians like Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton. This style of storytelling and film making is reflected here. Once the characters have been established, they are used in many hilarious scenes and situations. I was particularly impressed with a gag involving a cookbook and an open window. Another scene with the magician working at an all night garage is very funny and inventive. Oh and be sure and stick around to the end of the credits for a bonus gag involving one of my favorite supporting players. There’s even a glimpse of the real Tati on screen at a movie house. No need to be concerned about subtitles, their actions explain everything so there’s no real dialogue. For any fans of animation or classic comedy, THE ILLUSIONIST is an absolute must-see. Like the song says, “Everything old becomes new again”.

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 stars