'The Illusionist' (10)

'The Illusionist' (10) (France) (PG) (3 1/2 stars)

Writer: Sylvain Chomet based on screenplay written by Jacques Tati
Director: Sylvain Chomet
Starring the Voices of: Jean-Claude Donda, Eilidh Rankin

Pixar these days have cornered the market on excellent animated movies while other ones pale in comparison. It is refreshing to see another animated movie achieve greatness. "The Illusionist" is that film and it is the best animated movie of 2010.
Based on a lost Jacques Tati screenplay, "The Illusionist" is like watching a classic silent movie. The characters have voices but they aren't pronounced and the beautiful music and images are where the real enchantment is displayed. "The Illusionist" is set in 1959 and the title character's days of magic tricks are coming to an end due to rock music and changing tastes. We first see him pull a rabbit out of his hat like other magicians but the rabbit keeps escaping. This rabbit is like a character on his own with a distinct personality. The Illusionist is a tall, awkward man who sadly finds out that people are just not interested in his kind of magic anymore. There is a funny scene where a rock group is playing to adoring, screaming fans and the Illusionist is up next. As he tries to get on stage the curtain keeps coming up so the band can do several encores. He packs up and moves to Scotland where he finds a young woman and moves in with her. He tries to find work but all he can find in the end is a department store window job where he uses his magic to display items for sale. There he strikes a beautiful friendship with this woman and his rabbit sleeps on his chest every night.

"The Illusionist" is based on a Tati screenplay and there are bits and pieces that are Tati like. Now I have not seen one Tati movie and I wish I had because I want to see how this movie pays homage. I have seen little scenes from Tati movies and this month I will see them all on DVD. Though I still know that "The Illusionist" is a touching, very funny and sweet movie with an enchanting, quirky score that can also be beautiful. I love how director Sylvain Chomet frames shots and keeps the camera on them for long periods of time. I love the rain filled streets, small bars and the hotels and home that The Illusionist dwells in. I appreciated the serenity and quiet when so many animated films these days are noisy and cluttered. I love Pixar but they can fall into that noise problem sometimes (Cars) and "The Illusionist", not the slightly over rated "Toy Story 3" touched me with it's beauty and bittersweet ending. I liked this movie much more than Chomet's "Triplettes of Belleville because of it's tenderness. I think kids should go see this movie, there are really no subtitles, the movie is funny and great to look at and it is something different. It is also a movie that adults will appreciate and love even more.