The Illusionist

“The Illusionist” was written by Jacques Tati and directed by Sylvain Chomet. This is an animated film with almost no dialogue and tells its story in about an hour and a half which is more than enough. Jacques Tati, for those of you who are old enough to rememeber, is the charming character who starred in “Mr. Hulot’s Holiday”. The animated figure in the film is that of Mr. Tati and, to a certain extent, represents the biography of this mime and magician who started out in the music halls of France and the UK before turning to film. Sensitive and appealing to the eye, the film boasts of a subtle and warm animation style much like those seen in Pinocchio and early Disney cartoons. Make no mistake about it, there is computer generated animation as well as the traditional cel drawings and the visual appetite of the viewer will be easily appeased. Having spent some time in Edinburgh, the animation and drawings of that city were especially pleasing to me. Now the caveat: This is not a drama, a comedy or a silly cartoon but, instead, a nostalgic look at a bygone entertainment era as the sad character in the form of the mime/magician (a/k/a Mr. Tati in real life) struggles valiantly through the era that is about to pass him by. I confess that I looked at my watch 2X during the 90 minutes but that may not necessarily be the fault of the film as the early rise I had that day. Also, in fairness to the facts, we were 6 in a theater that hold over 500 (a 5:20PM show on a Friday) so maybe the absentees knows something I don’t. My immediate reaction to the film when it ended was first relief and then, upon pondering the film its style and its message, I came to a more positive conclusion. I give the film 2 and ½ stars. It’s a unique theatrical experience made all the more interesting if you know the life and times of Mr.
Tati.