Not Just an Illusion

The Illusionist (Sylvain Chomet, 2010)
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Sylvain Chomet's follow-up to the surprise Triplets of Belleville (2003) is the melancholy meditation on the rapidly growing modernization of the changing world and lifestyles, The Illusionist. Based on an unproduced script from famed French filmmaker Jacques Tati, The Illusionist follows an aging magician attempting to make ends meet despite the growing inevitable changes of the modernized world developing around him. His audience dwindles as rock groups begin to thrive, as people flock to more exciting forms of entertainment rather than those traditional charms offered by our protagonist's sleight of hand. The struggling illusionist befriends a young woman named Alice whose perspective compliments his own. She's young, naive, and idealistic, with innocent eyes in which to peer out upon the world. Perhaps in Alice the performer can see the last piece of child-like awe and fascination left in the world, opposed to fast paced excitement, fleeting trends, and commercial entertainment.

Like Chomet's previous film and the work of Jacques Tati the film is largely silent. There are small bits of dialogue spoken but none of it is very essential and much of it is difficult to understand. Chomet is, like Tati was, a visual storyteller. Though this time around, contrary to Triplets of Belleville, Chomet has crafted a much subtler film. Though populated by a few of its own odd characters it is not quite as eccentric a movie as Belleville. The music this time around also fits The Illusionist's softer tone. Wistful and sweet, it matches the movie's warm and inviting disposition. Much of Illusionist's beauty rests in its quiet and reflective moments. Not to say that Illusionist is all gloom, there's plenty of charm and sight gags too, in which some of the best involve the performer's uncooperative long eared stage assistant.

Though it may have a different atmosphere than Triplets of Belleville the movie does not differ in the quality of its animation. Visually it's simply breathtaking, capturing the beauty in even the simplest of locals, meaning in the smallest of gestures, and curious humor in ordinary occurrences. With its moderate pace, endearing characters, minimalistic storytelling, and bittersweet story The Illusionist is the kind of emotional film that sneaks up on you. Before someone is aware they are already under its spell, our hearts have been broken. Its poignancy comes with a painful yet touching price. It may not only be the best animated film of 2010, quite a feat considering it was released the same year as Pixar's third Toy Story movie, which closes the series in an almost equally cathartic fashion, it's also one of the best films of 2010 including the year's live action movies and one of my ten favorites of the year, ranking near the top.