Edward Norton at his best. The film reflects the weather that is found in centeral Europe and this adds to the authentic look and feel of the film. Very enjoyable film to watch.

OK, I will not be setting any spoiler's in here. But, I do suggest watching it at least twice, due to the end, WILL cause you to believe, that you missed something! Now, on to the rest of it. This movie, I had not seen, due to it not getting it's ads, like so many, that was no where near as good, as this was! The plot is, a carpenter's son, that has a passion for being a magician. Then he fall's in-love with the duchess, as they are childhood friends. The settings are set, back in the early 1800's, where they are using those beautiful horse's and carriage's. That seem to set the mood, while watching the movie. The music in the background also helps. Pretty much everything comes together as a great movie! Edward Norton plays his character seamlessly, with his stare and so much more! Jessica Biel plays her character perfectly, as well. She set's the set, with her energetic personality, to find what she has been missing, for years. While, she feels she has to hide that energy, around certain people in the movie! But, the one that surprised me the most, was not the 2, that played the 2 main role's. But the man, who played the chief of police, which happens to have an enthusiasm in magic tricks and etc. Paul Giamatti plays his role, like I have never seen him play his role's! He also did his character perfectly! Rufus Sewell, play's his character, just as well as the other's did! I mean, they acted together, as a whole, not as separate parts. But, to inter-mesh them all together, to form one simple plot. But, with force behind it! The way they set the stage's up(The movie stage's and the character's stage's.), they set them, to seem, like they were from back in the early 1800's! I give props to not only the main cast. But the carpenter's & etc, that built the scene's! They all worked together, like their live's depended on it! The energy behind the whole movie, with the whole cast, is like they loved playing the character's and building the set's! I give this movie an easy 10, for their work on it! They did not use a ton of special effects, that did not go with the movie, like so many other producer's would love to do, just to spice-up the movie's. This movie has all the right special effect's, that does go with the movie! Now, I do suggest watching this movie at least 2 times. So, you can catch everything! Until you literally watch the ending, you will not understand, how much you could truly miss, that first time watching it!

This movie is definitely fun to watch. Nice love story with "magical"suspense from beginning to end. High investment in directing, acting, filming and visual effects is evident. This movie also includes a few hidden morals of illusion vs. reality, different perceptions of life, and individual interpretations of daily events. And, of course, no man can resist Jessica Biel... :-)Nevertheless, the ideas are not new: Illusion vs. reality and con-men fooling the police and authorities is a very common motive in movies (and real life...). So, to be thankful for an enjoyable evening, I give this an 8.

This highly suspenseful film is full of ghosts, magic, and murder. It is great entertainment as you the viewer try to figure out whether the film is about magic and illusion or revenge and murder. The story takes place in the last 1800's in Vienna during the reign of the Hapsburgs. In fact, Crown Prince Rudolf is a primary player in the story. Rufus Sewell, who has played every European king in one film or another, does a super job of play Rudolf. But the primary story is about a young village boy who becomes fascinated with magic and a young aristocratic girl. Ed Norton plays the adult magician, Eisenheim, now grown up and returning to seek the girl he has never forgotten. His magical skills have increased exponentially and they are the tool by which he makes his living, and by which he courts his long lost love, and by which the film's mysteries are finally resolved.The characters are masterfully portrayed by the cast and help carry the viewer along as they experience the situations generated by the fascinating story of an individual who rises to the top of his profession as an illusionist but is in love with that unobtainable women who is the object of all he desires. This movie is powerful and effective and carries the viewer along on a ride that offers fantasy mystery with adventure and romance thrown in as extras. The settings and ambiance leave little to be desired and establish an aura of romantic intrigue that compliments the outstanding acting on the part of the entire cast. The background music and surround sound never overpower the dialogue and the overall balance produces a highly effective movie that leaves the viewer wanting more.Overall rating: 9 out of 10.