The Illusionist (2006)

Sepia filters, flickering edges, a theater full of people gasping at an orange tree: The Illusionist looks like an antique music box and plays like one too. Pretty, a little stiff, and it plays the tune you expected. The romance is the weak link. Edward Norton and Jessica Biel are supposed to be childhood soulmates, but they mostly trade serious looks, and her accent keeps wandering out of Vienna. The real lead is Paul Giamatti as the inspector stuck between a magician he admires and a prince he works for, sweating through every scene like a man doing math on his own career. Rufus Sewell plays the crown prince with a sneer you could hang a coat on. The stage tricks are gorgeous, especially the spooky shows where Eisenheim calls up spirits. It made $87.9 million worldwide on a reported $16.5M budget. A 6.8 because the craft is lovely and the big reveal lands right where you expected it to. $52.87 says you call the ending out loud before it happens, then act humble about it.

What works: Paul Giamatti’s torn inspector, Rufus Sewell’s sneering prince, and stage illusions that look gorgeous in that old-fashioned flicker.

What doesn’t: The central romance has almost no spark, and the big reveal is easy to spot well before the movie gets there.

Who it’s for: People who love period pieces and stage magic, and anyone who wants a gentler, simpler cousin to the other big magician movie of 2006.