The Illusionist (2010)

Danny and I just returned from viewing The Illusionist, the 2010 animated film directed by Sylvain Chomet. In 1959 an unemployed, middle-aged magician flees Paris. While visiting a remote Scottish village he attracts a young girl who follows him to Edinburgh. The story follows the course of their relationship.

It is more realistic and touching (both funny and sad) than Chomet's previous Oscar-nominated hit, The Triplets of Belleville. The spectacular sense of light and landscape (which I can only assume authentically evoke Scotland) is strikingly reminiscent of Hayao Miyazaki films. However, while the weather in My Neighbor Totoro maintains an exquisite, mystical transendence above the course of events, Chomet's vision of nature engages in European style pathetic fallacy. Surprisingly perhaps, this film is more subtle and less sentimental. Both modes are equally entertaining. Stay until the end of the credits. You will leave wondering, "What happens next?" but that is the frightening question about life. We face (or avoid) it every day. Maybe we're better to fall down drunk and laughing in the rain. Recommended, and not only to animation geeks.