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The Illusionist

The Illusionist

2010
Drama, Fantasy
1h 20m
Details the story of a dying breed of stage entertainer whose thunder is being stolen by emerging rock stars. Forced to accept increasingly obscure assignments in fringe theaters, garden parties and bars, he meets a young fan who changes his life forever. (imdb)

Directed by:

Sylvain Chomet

Screenwriter:

Jacques Tati, Sylvain Chomet

Starring:

Jean-Claude Donda, Edith Rankin

Genres:

Drama, Fantasy, Animation

AKA:

L'Illusionniste

Countries:

France, UK

Languages:

English, French, Gaelic
imdb IMDb
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The Illusionist

2010
Drama, Fantasy
1h 20m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 64.62% from 1447 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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kasperlKasperL
Rated 31 Dec 2010
85
94th
The style from Triplets of Belleville applied to a Tati film (he wrote the script and the animated magician in the film is based on his appearance). Both directors have an acute sense of detail and of the curious humour to be found in the ordinary occurrences of everyday life. It's brilliant, nostalgic, sweet and, yes, magical.
Rated 31 Dec 2010
martintellerMartinTeller
Rated 14 Feb 2011
85
84th
This is not merely Hulot in cartoon form. Although the gags are there, the film has a much deeper air of melancholy to it. The artwork of the film is gorgeously rendered, evoking both warmth and underlying sadness, aided by a wistful score. The movie could use a little more personality but there are so many touching, poetic moments to make up for it. The theme of the old and charming being replaced by the new and flashy was a subject close to Tati's heart, and it's covered quite well here.
Rated 14 Feb 2011
xakkmasterXakkMaster
Rated 27 Feb 2011
91
90th
Beautifully drawn with a gorgeous soundtrack, this film hit all the right emotions for someone who has a distaste for much of modern commercial culture. Watching all the performing artists in the film slowly come to terms with the depleting necessity of their livelihoods was painful, but poignant. There are a number of unique and interesting characters that I will remember for a long time. The relationship between the illusionist and his rabbit was particularly charming. Animation at its finest.
Rated 27 Feb 2011
okkervilOkkervil
Rated 06 Mar 2011
88
94th
The brilliantly paced and stylised animation is the real winner here. Chomet conveys a beautiful, loving and sad relationship without the need for dialogue, as the perfect soundtrack and animation do it all for him. There is also a supurbly accurate and loving depiction of the great city of Edinburgh. A moving, melancholy and ultimately bittersweet story. Recommended.
Rated 06 Mar 2011
omgfridgeomgfridge
Rated 17 Feb 2011
8
79th
Wonderful touching story. Its a detailed rich experience filled with joy and despair. Beautiful ending too.
Rated 17 Feb 2011
fredericg54frederic_g54
Rated 04 Jul 2010
9
90th
(2nd viewing) Seen in twice in the last 5 days, fearing my local cinema would pull it out to pave way for some Hollywood hogwash. It's sad to witness this tale of friendship come to an end. Luckily, life is composed of these bittersweet moments, meaning another one is right behind the corner. Chomet's attention to detail and comedic tone manifest themselves throughout. Recommended and pay close attention during the film, you might miss its nod to 'The Old Lady and the Pigeons'.
Rated 04 Jul 2010
filmfreak88filmfreak88
Rated 27 Feb 2011
85
89th
Says little but says a lot. A beautiful and touching animated film about the human condition.
Rated 27 Feb 2011
begoniabolbegoniabol
Rated 13 Aug 2010
94
98th
Wonderful relaxing movie. The animation is incredible, there are so many details. Funny, sweet, lovely and a little sad movie.
Rated 13 Aug 2010
aflickeringAFlickering
Rated 29 Dec 2012
5
73rd
too simple to call this a nostalgic elegy to the naive wonder of times lost; it exposes childhood as a fantasy unknowingly reliant on a parent's ceaseless resources, and coupled with a longing to maintain that fantasy is an indictment of it. perfect that the protagonist's magic tricks are usurped by rock music, which developed around the peak of tati's career and perfectly encapsulates this film's mixture of bitter, accusatory realism, loss, and anxious grasping toward carefree youth.
Rated 29 Dec 2012
mentaculusMentaculus
Rated 06 Jan 2012
94
94th
There's a poetic synergy to the whole film: in the cadence of the narrative, the wistful composition, the pathos of everything... I loved it to death, yet found it ridiculously sad. I had a friend compare it to the The Giving Tree, and he was spot on.
Rated 06 Jan 2012
nathandarkoNathanDarko
Rated 31 Mar 2011
90
79th
One of the most beautiful audio-visual movie composions since a long long time. I would compare the intense feeling of "The Illusionist" with the works of Miyazaki. Simply wonderful!
Rated 31 Mar 2011
ozymandius10ozymandius10
Rated 13 Mar 2011
80
74th
Beautifully animated film that will literally drop your jaw at points. It's so nice to see quality 2D animation, and this isn't a case of it just looking nice because there's a dearth of other good 2D films. I was annoyed by the housemaid occasionally because I felt like she just used up the magician until he had nothing left, but it's a pretty touching story overall. Simple, but good.
Rated 13 Mar 2011
ytadelYtadel
Rated 26 Feb 2011
6
70th
Gorgeous. I mean in the literal, visual sense - this is an absolutely gorgeous movie to look at. It makes me weep that 2D animation has become an occasional novelty when so much beauty can be crafted with it. I'm not sure the relationship between the illusionist and the housemaid affected me as deeply on the emotional level as some others (the most emotional moment of the movie for me was actually between him and his rabbit), but the animation and atmosphere more than justify seeing it.
Rated 26 Feb 2011
halfangHalfang
Rated 03 Sep 2010
99
99th
One of my favourites. Excellent animation, dry humour, bitersweet story alltogether. Loved it.
Rated 03 Sep 2010
suture_selfSuture Self
Rated 20 Jan 2012
10
96th
Accompanying Tartischeff the Magician is a girl named Alice, and I think her transformation is the most important part of the movie. While she grows into a city-minded young woman he falls out of touch with the rest of the world...and eventually her too.
Rated 20 Jan 2012
aneyaney
Rated 17 Jan 2012
84
91st
Wonderful! A great example of how a lot can be told with very few words. One of the best soundtracks I've heard as well.
Rated 17 Jan 2012
graveyardtangraveyardtan
Rated 13 Mar 2011
95
93rd
Hands down the best film of 2010. Chomet captures everything that made Tati great, and breathes beautiful life back one of the finest comedians who ever graced a screen.
Rated 13 Mar 2011
quickyapiQuickyAPI
Rated 11 Mar 2011
72
68th
It's a slow movie, but very touching and very real. It's amazing that in the whole movie, maybe a dozen words are uttered. Besides that there is absolutely nothing of dialogue except for some incomprehensible mumbling. Movement, color, body posture and facial expressions are all that director Chomet needs to communicate his ideas. Lovely.
Rated 11 Mar 2011
funkyastroFunkyAstro
Rated 15 Feb 2011
75
74th
I'm a sucker for wholesome traditionalist struggle which is why the hand drawn animation was so fitting. Gives me that warm feeling of being a wee young lad when things were so much simpler. Oh modern world...
Rated 15 Feb 2011
kavuKavu
Rated 10 Feb 2011
83
79th
A bittersweet story with beautiful animation and a great score.
Rated 10 Feb 2011
gnalkhereGnalkhere
Rated 28 May 2018
90
91st
All of my dreams have died.
Rated 28 May 2018
hotsakehotsake
Rated 17 Jan 2016
69
71st
A visually gorgeous movie that keeps the viewer at a distance. I watched this film and it kept my interest the entire time, which is good, however after it was over, I shrugged, said "meh" and the movie and it's details left my thoughts.
Rated 17 Jan 2016
ratedarghratedargh
Rated 23 Aug 2014
85
75th
Gorgeous and melancholic. It's amazing at how strongly a story can be told without dialog. So many scenes resonate with different aspects of the emotional spectrum whether it's from the illusionist's perspective of seeming obsolescence or the girl's as she comes of age in a bigger world than she had been used to. I want more films from Chomet.
Rated 23 Aug 2014
velvet_croweVelvet Crowe
Rated 15 Nov 2012
92
98th
Everything about the movie is great. The beautiful animation, its soundtrack and especially the plot despite its lack of dialog. The lack of dialog works well with this film, the use of imagery to tell this movies tale is expertly applied and it gets the right emotions it wants. The themes it plays on are really great, as it touches on those left behind when society changes. The ending is also heart achingly depressing. Highly recommended.
Rated 15 Nov 2012
kusanagiKusanagi
Rated 17 Apr 2012
90
96th
A charming look at the relationship between an elderly stage magician and young housemaid who both seem to be re-evaluating their place in the world. A bittersweet beauty, one of few words, but with plenty to say.
Rated 17 Apr 2012
tarantinoleTarantinOle
Rated 12 Apr 2012
72
56th
Funny, sad and charming. A bit short maybe?
Rated 12 Apr 2012
jacoiiiJacoIII
Rated 13 Mar 2012
45
85th
One of the most profoundly touching, sad and beautiful films I've ever seen. Silent animation seems to strike a raw nerve with me. It cuts deep but the hurt is so good.
Rated 13 Mar 2012
bakcheiabakcheia
Rated 19 Feb 2012
95
92nd
absolutely stunning and resonant. i want that rabbit for a pet.
Rated 19 Feb 2012
mohanmohan
Rated 18 Sep 2011
95
72nd
Great animation - detailed, artistic and exquisite; esp the country scenes even though sparse are very well done. Good music. Good characterization. Beautiful experience.
Rated 18 Sep 2011
chemical404chemical404
Rated 16 May 2011
78
93rd
A bittersweet film about people who can't keep up with ever-changing world, about kindness, love, illusions and rabbits. Animation is amazing and score is simply beautiful - Chomet is truly an all-around artist. Screenplay was originally written by Tati, if you have seen any of his films, you know what to expect. One of the years best films.
Rated 16 May 2011
ronthedogronthedog
Rated 04 May 2011
88
91st
Stunningly beautiful piece of work. Incredibly characterful animation.
Rated 04 May 2011
stevekimesstevekimes
Rated 10 Mar 2011
90
88th
A touching silent animated film. An excellent nod to the work of Tati. Very touching, and worth some thought.
Rated 10 Mar 2011
jackshrackjackshrack
Rated 08 Mar 2011
97
97th
Great animation. After seeing Triplettes of Belleville, I thought I would be disappointed, but this simple tale really leaves an impression and the rendering is superb. Reminds one of Henri Talouse LauTrec. I loved it. Very somber and very succinct tale.
Rated 08 Mar 2011
parcalihamparcaliham
Rated 07 Mar 2011
75
53rd
07 mart 2011 & belki de konusma olmadigi icin, emin degilim ama film biraz sikici geldi. sonlara dogru doruk noktasina ulasan ve son on dakikasinda insani ekrana kilitleyen, derin duygusalligini begendim. 'magicians do not exist' filmin en begendigim noktasi tabii ki cizimleri ve genele yayilmis melankolisiydi. bunun disinda arka planinda ilerleyen tuketim toplumu ve 'yanlis modernlesme' elestirisi basariliydi.
Rated 07 Mar 2011
seanberndorffSeanBerndorff
Rated 20 Feb 2011
70
53rd
I actually found it somewhat dull, which was rather disappointing since I loved Triplets, but somewhat not a surprise because I don't really like the Tati movies. However I do love the charming style and tone that Chomet has put into this. And the sense of detail is truly extraordinary.
Rated 20 Feb 2011
gregmogregmo
Rated 15 Feb 2011
95
93rd
Beautifully drawn with a story to match.
Rated 15 Feb 2011
pigletPiglet
Rated 14 Feb 2011
78
87th
Wonderful!
Rated 14 Feb 2011
armondwhiteArmondWhite
Rated 27 Dec 2010
5
0th
A return to the possibilities of animation as Fantasia, with its multiple tones, varied episodes and restless invention, timelessly realized.
Rated 27 Dec 2010
glumpy99glumpy_99
Rated 21 Jun 2024
76
51st
Sweet natured, delicate tribute to silent comedy (obviously Tati in particular) is a little too delicate and inconsequential at times, but does create a nicely pensive and whimsical atmosphere for this very personal story to play out. Chomet does a fine job of telling this story with precious few words, letting his the physicality of the well-designed characters do the heavy lifting; if this were live action, I’d congratulate the actors for their full commitment to Chomet (and Tati’s) vision.
Rated 21 Jun 2024
metismetis
Rated 06 Aug 2021
70
45th
7?
Rated 06 Aug 2021
esperhartEsperHart
Rated 27 Feb 2021
77
24th
https://esperwatchesfilms.tumblr.com/post/644306207354552320/the-illusionist-2010
Rated 27 Feb 2021
feublofeublo
Rated 16 Sep 2020
90
90th
So glad this exists. Beautifully composed is a friendship that imprints life's bittersweet reality.
Rated 16 Sep 2020
driscarpindriscarpin
Rated 16 Feb 2020
74
51st
Há 10 anos O Mágico estreava no Festival de Berlim. A animação é belíssima, cheia de detalhes maravilhosos, mas tive tanta antipatia pela personagem da mocinha que meio que estregou a experiência do filme pra mim, quando o Tati a escreveu ainda tinha certo lirismo uma personagem daquelas, mas é absolutamente impensável vê-la num filme dos anos 2010. BlurayRip RARGB.
Rated 16 Feb 2020
dawdlingpoetDawdlingPoet
Rated 09 Sep 2019
80
79th
I really liked the animation in this. A nice nostalgic watch.
Rated 09 Sep 2019
grapeGrape
Rated 25 Feb 2016
80
71st
24 Febrer 2016 - preciós, els llocs, els colors, els moviments. M'ha agradat aquest ritme tranquil, mut. Semblava que podien passar moltes coses i que no estava clar el to de la pel·lícula, que ha anat potser fent-se cada cop més greu, emotiu. La música també molt bonica, l'ha fet el chomet?
Rated 25 Feb 2016
boxcarsBoxcars
Rated 09 Jun 2015
10
97th
While "The Illusionist" may have its detractors due to how it supposedly misrepresented the life and purpose behind Tati's screenplay, the picture is nonetheless a brilliantly somber and amazingly animated piece of work.
Rated 09 Jun 2015
lisa_iilisa-
Rated 12 Jul 2014
6
83rd
achingly sentimental, in an impossibly heartfelt way. a life full of love and interesting moments, but the passage of time is fast, people imperceptibly but inevitably move apart, and ultimately our small lives simply disappear to the sound of elevator music.
Rated 12 Jul 2014
troothTrooth
Rated 20 Jan 2014
75
70th
I think some of the plot might be a little muddled around the middle due to the fact that there's barely any spoken dialogue during the whole movie. Just an occasional word or two in a blend of French, English, Scots , and some dialect of Simlish. Things come together very nicely by the end, for a pretty thematically dark story, but not exactly pessimistic.
Rated 20 Jan 2014
hulothulot
Rated 15 Dec 2013
60
54th
watched: 2013, 2020
Rated 15 Dec 2013
petrostserPetrosTser
Rated 05 Oct 2013
70
70th
A relatively slow film with layered animated work which requires close inspection and with two leads not particularly likeable. Definitely not as important as "Les Triplettes De Belleville" but still worthwhile.
Rated 05 Oct 2013
nick-hamdenNick Hamden
Rated 03 Jun 2013
100
95th
I feel bad using so many words to describe this movie, when the movie itself refrained from being vocal.
Rated 03 Jun 2013
icarusIcarus
Rated 01 Jun 2013
70
40th
Magnificent animation, with endless layers, plenty of texture to the images, and a great sense of color. The Tati-like illusionist has a softness to him that makes him sympathetic. However, the over reliance on music to manufacture sentiment, and the strange conclusion that seems completely undercut by the magical proceedings of the film make this a bit of a disappointment.
Rated 01 Jun 2013
ryan_luedersRyan Lueders
Rated 04 Feb 2013
85
73rd
I was going to give this a lower score because I really didn't get the movie. So I looked up a few things about it. I found out that this was a script written by a mime to his estranged daughter. Then it hit me. This movie was just beautiful. Not just in the animation style but in the story it tells. It shows how a father will do anything to bring happiness to his girl. How he will try to convince them that there is still magic out there, all while struggling to make ends meet. Beautiful.
Rated 04 Feb 2013
cinematicespCinematicESP
Rated 18 Jan 2013
80
52nd
The ingredients of this film seem tailor made for me, as a huge Tati enthusiast and champion of Chomet's Triplets of Belleville, yet I wasn't as enamored as I was expecting to be. Still, the characters are fun, the animation absolutely gorgeous, and the ending heartbreaking enough to leave a lasting impression.
Rated 18 Jan 2013
nepetaNepeta
Rated 10 Jan 2013
90
90th
This gentle, melancholic (and visually stunning) film is utterly heartbreaking in its look at how modernisation leaves some people displaced, unappreciated and struggling to fit in. The father-daughter interactions between the main character and Alice are warm and wondrous to behold, whilst the look at Alice's growing independence serves both as a paean to youth and young love, and also a moving look at the displacement parents experience when their kids don't look at them in wonder any more.
Rated 10 Jan 2013
jswinderjswinder
Rated 15 Aug 2012
80
64th
Very heart-warming, roasty toasty stuff.
Rated 15 Aug 2012
bunkenBunken
Rated 23 Jul 2012
80
88th
Magicians Do exist... In this case its Sylvain Chomet who wonderfully transforms Tati's script and character into a beautiful and melancholic animated little masterpiece!
Rated 23 Jul 2012
emtiltemtilt
Rated 17 May 2012
81
84th
A quite lovely little film. A minor annoyance was the occasional jarring use of CGI in certain spots, especially in a couple scenes near the end. Still beautiful, throughout, though.
Rated 17 May 2012
evranaevrana
Rated 04 Mar 2012
82
78th
I don't know why, but this was one of the saddest things I have ever watched. If you ever feel you are being taken advantage of just because you mean well, you can find some of your frustrations in this movie. Adorned with stunning little details and amazing character designs, similar to other Chomet movies, it has lots of personality. It also reminded me of how much I miss Europe, so I enjoyed it even more because of that.
Rated 04 Mar 2012
muutanetmuutanet
Rated 20 Feb 2012
84
89th
A breathtaking animation quality with combination of nice 2D animation with 3D passing by images. The story was sad but well done as well. A perfect conclusion for Jacques Tati humor legacy.
Rated 20 Feb 2012
alanstrangalanstrang
Rated 25 Dec 2011
71
53rd
beautifully crafted but poorly developed.
Rated 25 Dec 2011
sebbysebby
Rated 30 Sep 2011
80
91st
Better than anything Tati would have done with the material.
Rated 30 Sep 2011
redfalconRed_Falcon_
Rated 24 Jul 2011
72
57th
A very unique animated film.I loved how both the Pantomime style of "acting" and the music is very old school in relation to a story about how the new is supplanting the old.
Rated 24 Jul 2011
grouchoGroucho
Rated 31 May 2011
30
53rd
"Tati's masterful mime easily inspires an animated treatment, recapturing his graceful comic body language and 'no subtitles required' international appeal."
Rated 31 May 2011
mandymandy
Rated 20 Apr 2011
7
73rd
Beautifully drawn and full of detail. Old fashioned and it needs hardly any dialogue to tell it's story which is fairly sad.
Rated 20 Apr 2011
cagedwisdomcagedwisdom
Rated 04 Apr 2011
50
38th
Didn't love this quite as much as certain others. The execution is excellent, the soundtrack sublime, but while many parts of this were beautifully tragic when it came down to it I just didn't care enough about the characters.
Rated 04 Apr 2011
onlyslightlyOnlySlightly
Rated 29 Mar 2011
80
25th
It crawls at a snails pace. It is depressing but not quite depressing enough. It is about a dying breed, the magician. Much too slow for me
Rated 29 Mar 2011
burkayadaligburkayadalig
Rated 07 Mar 2011
66
30th
beautiful old school animation... however there`s absolutely nothing original and its incredibly boring...sad/suicidal clowns?? poor girls envying rich girls in high heeled shoes?? We`re in 21st century.
Rated 07 Mar 2011
moribunnyMoribunny
Rated 23 Feb 2011
85
95th
In an age of ugly CG 3D, I'm glad there still exists beautiful hand-drawn 2D animation outside of Japan, and Chomet is one of the few masters carrying the torch. I have long awaited his second feature movie and am not disappointed. Chomet's style is a perfect match for the Tati-penned script and his adaptation shows reverence to Tati's blotty, ochre and greyish palette, distancing long shots, urban alienation, near-absence of dialogue and thin humor. But there is also deep melancholy...
Rated 23 Feb 2011
waddayanutswaddayanuts
Rated 16 Feb 2011
53
7th
Well, it's better than the Ed Norton version.
Rated 16 Feb 2011
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 13 Feb 2011
71
29th
It's OK but not that special. The animation is certainly the high point, and what there is of a story isn't bad, but the style just doesn't do it for me. It feels like a very methodical and dry expression of emotion and the combination doesn't work very well.
Rated 13 Feb 2011
jazzalohaJazzaloha
Rated 12 Feb 2011
81
93rd
Did not like *Triplets of Belleville*, but I really enjoyed this. (Still, didn't care for the animation, though). It is essentially an animated Monsieur Hulot film, and I was skeptical that an animated Hulot would work. I'd prefer the real Tati, but this worked. Indeed, the script was great--a lot more heart and emotion than hhis other films--and it's my favorite Hulot film.
Rated 12 Feb 2011
catscandalCatScandal
Rated 09 Feb 2011
31
24th
despite the beautiful animation, i just can't get into chomet's weirdly mute minimalist storytelling
Rated 09 Feb 2011
stewballStewball
Rated 06 Feb 2011
70
54th
Waaaay to busy trying to be idiosyncratic.
Rated 06 Feb 2011
frankhowleyFrankHowley
Rated 24 Jan 2011
70
56th
Charming and bittersweet, but nowhere near as exciting or remarkable as The Triplets of Belleville.
Rated 24 Jan 2011
stainStain
Rated 26 Dec 2010
60
47th
All's well for the first half hour or so, then the charm slowly ebbs away. Intriguing characters, fine animation... then it goes in a direction that either I don't understand, or which has little evident point... leastways, not a point that seems worth the bother of telling. I'll say one thing for this picture, though: animation goes better with Tati's material than Tati's own approach did
Rated 26 Dec 2010
slantmagSlantMag
Rated 20 Dec 2010
35
90th
"Sylvain Chomet resurrects an unrealized, melancholy Jacques Tati script with the bittersweet beauty of hand-drawn animation." - Bill Weber
Rated 20 Dec 2010
astrakhanastrakhan
Rated 20 Aug 2010
79
66th
To Chomet's credit, the character animation is beautiful, and the film is as loving a portrait of Edinburgh as has ever been put on screen. The film is also a nice homage to Tati, and feels like a very personal film for Chomet. However, I also found the pacing too slow, the plot hard to connect with, and the end result a bit lacking in emotion. Loved all the little touches of comedy and detail, but beneath the meandering plot and weird relationship the overall message was probably too subtle.
Rated 20 Aug 2010

Cast & Info

Directed by:

Sylvain Chomet

Screenwriter:

Jacques Tati, Sylvain Chomet

Starring:

Jean-Claude Donda, Edith Rankin

Genres:

Drama, Fantasy, Animation

AKA:

L'Illusionniste

Countries:

France, UK

Languages:

English, French, Gaelic
imdb IMDb
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