The Illusionist

Starring Edward Norton, Jessica Biel, Rufus Sewell and Paul Giamatti, the movie is about an illusionist who does all he can to get his love for himself.
Edward Abramovich is the son of a carpenter, who learnt tricks and illusions. He attracts the attention of Duchess Sophie von Teschen. As teenagers in love, they are inseparable. But Edward leaves one day in search of mystery.
When he returns to Vienna as an established and famous illusionist, Eisenheim, many come to watch his show, as does Chief Inspector Walter Uhl. He is absolutely amazed and recommends the Crown Prince Leopold to watch the show. Crown Prince attends the show with his fiancee, Sophie. As part of a stage illusion, Sophie comes in close touch with Eisenheim. Although she doesn't recognise him, he does. She recognises him at the party after the show.Then they meet secretly.
Crown Prince believes that Eisenheim's illusions are simple tricks and sends Uhl to discover it, while inviting Eisenheim to perform at his castle. During the performance, Eisenheim challenges the Prince's ego. He seems angered.
Sophie, to help Eisenheim goes to his house, but they end up re-kindling their love. He wants her to come with him, but she tells him it's not that easy. They secretly go around the city, buying different things, while the police is stalking them around. The police also catches their plan to escape, but nothing is done.
Sophie returns to the castle to tell the Prince that everything is over between them. The Prince is drunk and follows her to the stable. She leaves the stable wounded, on a horse. Eisenheim is still waiting for her, but she doesn't return.
The next day, her horse returns. Eisenheim sets out with a search party to find her corpse in the river. She is examined by a doctor and is pronounced to be murdered. The doctor also finds a jewel on the corpse that he gives to Uhl.
Now, Eisenheim is vengeful and he performs even more dramatice tricks, almost getting a fan following for himself. His performance conjures up the soul of Sophie and the audience begins to question the talking soul as to who murdered her. To keep the peace of the society, Uhl tries to arrest Eisenheim, but he disappears. As the Prince gets more agitated, Uhl starts to suspect him.
Uhl searches Eisenheim's house and stumbles upon a locket design. Uhl searches the stable that Sophie was last seen at and finds the locket and another gem. Then he looks for the Prince's sword and finds that the gem is actually from his sword. He confronts him. The Prince who gets very agitated, ends up shooting himself.
As a fired police, he walks down the street, only to find a boy hand him the mystery behind one of his favourite illusions - Eisenheim is still alive and around. He follows him to the train and his mind unravels all the mysterious happenings. Watch out for this unfolding mystery.
The movie was fully engaging and mysterious. Although this movie was frequently compared with the The Prestige, in its theme, the story was quite different - one being rivalry and one being personal. Both beautifully made.
While watching The Prestige, I was quite confused at times, but The Illusionist carried the viewer quite qell along. A great one to watch for a totally engrossing climax.