From the producers of Crash and Sideways, The Illusionist is one of the best films to hit theaters this year. This paranormal mystery, set in Vienna at the turn of the 19th Century, is a blend of politics, romance and magical illusion.

Edward Norton stars as Eisenheim, an emerging magician whose unusual and mystifying magic is drawing raves among the Vienna patrons. The story unfolds through the eyes of Chief Inspector Uhl (Paul Giamatti), and he doesn’t believe in magic or like what Eisenheim is doing once the theater doors close.

Eisenheim's show goes beyond normal sleight-of-hand magic. He makes spirits from the dead appear and talk to the audience, creates stories in which he leads the audience to believe what he wants them to believe and combines  philosophical ideas with tricks like no one has seen before.

Inspector Uhl has formed a close relationship with Vienna's Crown Prince Leopold (Rufus Sewell). The inspector understands the prince has a plan that will make him the ruler of two countries, and he's promised Uhl a high position in his court. When Url relates Eisenheim's increasing popularity to the prince, he decides to check out the show himself. He takes his betrothed, Sophie von Teschen (Jessica Biel), along with him.

When Eisenheim asks for a volunteer from the audience, Leopold volunteers Sophie. As she walks on stage, Eisenheim is bewitched by her beauty, but something else about her also holds him captive. As he uses Sophie in an impressive trick, he realizes she's the person he fell in love with as a child, the one who promised to be with him always. 

Eisenheim learns that Leopold not only expects Sophie to marry him, but plans to involve her in a scheme to overthrow his father. While the Inspector keeps a diligent eye on the magician, Eisenheim and Sophie meet again, and she realizes who he is. The couple is soon wrapped in each others arms and making love like newlyweds. Sophie tells Eisenheim she will leave Leopold.

The prince gets word of the couple's meetings and invites Eisenheim to perform at a dinner with every intention of humiliating the self-confident magician. But it's Eisenheim who turns the tables on the prince when he comes close to embarrassing him in front of his company.  Once the guests have departed, Leopold orders the Inspector to," get rid of him," by any means.

The Inspector tries to do what Leopold asks. He drags Eisenheim from his show and brings him to the station several times, but he can’t come up with legitimate charges to keep the magician there. As tension escalates between Leopold and Eisenheim, Sophie goes to Leopold and tells him she will neither marry him nor be part of his scheme. There is a mysterious row between them.

Many things make this film thoroughly enjoyable. First is a brilliant script by Neil Burger (Interview with the Assassin), who adapted Pulitzer Prize-winning author Steven Millhauser’s short story Eisenheim the Illusionist. "It’s a beautiful gem of a story, lyrical and transcendent," Burger said.  "I loved the story, but it wasn’t immediately clear how to solve the narrative puzzle and transform it into a full-blown movie.”

Burger's script unfolds like an artichoke. Layer by layer it builds with suspense and keeps the surprises coming throughout the story, each one more delicious than the last. He knew he wanted Norton to play the lead role. "There were a number of different elements that appealed to me," said Norton. "Eisenheim is darkly romantic, an enigma.  He is mysterious and withholding, but at the same time, he is an incredible showman." 

Norton is unassuming as Eisenheim. Exuding power, he's suave, debonair and quite effective as a lover in his first romantic role.  Norton has been nominated for two Academy Awards (Best Actor for American History X and Best Supporting Actor for Primal Fear). I think he deserves another nomination for this role.

The talented Paul Giamatti has been all over the big screen in the last two years. His Oscar nomination for Cinderella Man was well deserved -- but an obvious confirmation for the snub of his work in Sideways. Giamatti also appeared this year in the animated Ant Bully and the poorly received Lady in the Water.  He, too, is worthy of another Oscar nomination for The Illusionist. Jessica Biel (Elizabethtown) and Rufus Sewell (Tristan & Isolde) are equally wonderful.

The film is beautifully shot in Prague by cinematographer Dick Pope. Philip Glass' wonderful film score shrouds every scene with the appropriate mood. The sets -- like the Prince's fear-provoking hall filled with large deer and elk heads -- and costumes easily transport us to another time and place, and direction by Burger delivers a tale that is magic from beginning to end.

(Released by Yari Film Group and rated “PG-13” for some sexuality and violence.)

Review also posted at www.reviewexpress.com.