A new trailer has arrived for the sophomore feature effort from “The Triplets Of Belleville” director Sylvain Chomet.
Based on an unproduced script by famed French comic Jacques Tati, the tale focuses on a magician trying to survive the dawn of the rock ‘n roll age. He thinks all might be lost until interest from a young fan inspires a new found passion. The film has been making the festival rounds and while most of the Playlist staff haven’t been able to catch it, our man at VIFF managed to get a screening in and was unfortunately disappointed. But it was also at the end of a long festival jaunt, and we’re eager to give a look with fresh eyes and are hopeful it has some of the magic and humor that made ‘Belleville’ so memorable. At the very least, the film looks gorgeous.
“The Illusionist” will open in New York and Los Angeles on Christmas Day and roll out from there. Full synopsis and trailer after the jump (or you can watch it in HD at Apple):
The Illusionist is one of a dying breed of stage entertainers. With emerging rock stars stealing his thunder in the late 1950s, he is forced to accept increasingly obscure assignments in fringe theatres, at garden parties and in bars and cafes. Then, while performing in a village pub off the west coast of Scotland, he encounters Alice, an innocent young girl, who will change his life forever. Watching his performance for the excited villagers who are celebrating the arrival of electricity on their remote island, Alice is awestruck by his show and believes his tricks are real magic. Though they donthusiasm for his act, The Illusionist rewards Alice with increasingly lavish gifts he has ‘conjured’ into existence. Desperate not to disappoint her, he cannot bring himself to reveal that magic does not exist and that he pretend. Untangled from his own web of deceit, he resumes his life as a much wiser man.
The Illusionist
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