MovieChat Forums > The Illusionist (2006) Discussion > The 'twist' could be anticipated mid-way

The 'twist' could be anticipated mid-way

posted 15 years ago by katochnr
34 replies | jump to latest

We know that Eisenheim knew that the police followed the Duchess. So right from the scene where they show them kissing in the middle of the city (for a man shown to be so intelligent why would he do that!!), then the station scene, the crown prince already having killed a woman; it all adds up and we can clearly make out that they upto some mischief .. and from that point onwards the whole thing plods on drearily towards the conclusion .. the whole thing bores like hell ..

[–] imdb42 14 years ago

People are missing the point. In nearly every movie, much like every magic trick, you can probably figure out the trick ending. However, the showmanship that carries you to the ending is the important part.

[–] rigby67 14 years ago

Yes I think watching a movie about and called "The Illustionist" one may think he was going to do just that. The point is how and does it work with a cop who knows about that art somewhat. The thing my hubby didn't like was that the illusions were so advanced for that time that he didn't see how he could've done that then. Made it seem fake.

Mobiles give you cancer!

[–] Princerd 14 years ago

Those disastisfied because they "figured it out" missed the point of the movie. It was about Inspector Uhl figuring it out. The story of the Duchess was a back drop to the interaction of Uhl and Eisenheim. Hence a greater amount of time was spent on the collage of scenes showing Uhl finally putting all of the clues together, rather than the reuniting of the two lovers.

I've seen films and TV shows that come up with a twist on the ending that no one figures out. The reason being; there are no clues given. It just takes a twist. That to me is more aggravating than catching the actual clues and figuring out what will happen. Those of you who figured out Sophie wasn't dead because the Inspector wasn't able to closely examine the body had already missed other clues. As mentioned before, make me disappear spoken by Sophie was also meant to be a major clue. And what??? The title The Illusionist wasn't? {sarcasm intended} If you got it at that time, so what. How many of you realized that Eisenheim was actually talking to Inspector Uhl when he spoke from the balcony saying nothing you have seen is real?

The story, atmosphere, acting, and character development was superb. Even Biel. an OK actress, was rather good. It showed how well the characters were developed.

[–] katprocrastinate 14 years ago

I didn't anticipate the twist at all. I'm glad it came because I was still unsure how it was going to end so I really enjoyed it. I don't usually guess the twists in movies, but that's mostly because I'm not trying to. It's different if the film is specifically a murder mystery or something like that because you want to solve it with the detective character. However, this film didn't seem to fit into that genre. When I have guessed twists, it really spoilt films for me, so I prefer not to endeavour to.

Good twists give you subtle clues and red herrings so you have your suspicions but aren't so sure that you don't want to stop watching. The Illusionist kept me gripped apart from a slight lag in the middle and I loved the twist. Perhaps not very plausible; the Chief Inspector would have had to take some leaps of logic to reach the correct conclusion however, when you're watching a film about illusions and magic I think its safe to give them some artistic license in the name of a good story...which I thought it was. :)

[–] peacefulmeows 14 years ago

Man, I hated this movie. It was definitely beautiful to look at and Ed Norton looked good. I do have an issue with only the few films I have seen with him-that is why I do not watch many on his films- he seems pretty one dimensional. He has that monotone voice. It is the same whether he is happy, sad, or making out with a chick...there is no inflection in his voice. For me it is a snoozefest. I know I am in a minority here but OY- -give me some kind of emotion. I thought I would watch the special feature on the dvd "the making of" OMG-he was boring in the featurett, too. Double OY!

[–] Edren 14 years ago

I don't think predicting twists is a sign of a superior intellect, or a poor movie, more of the dissatisfied viewer not getting swept along by the story.

Life is just one damned thing after another - Elbert Hubbard

[–] mball1297 14 years ago

I agree, edren. I was never looking for a twist in this movie. Sometimes, I am, like with The Prestige, but this one didn't scream "Hey, figure out the twist!" to me. It was just a good movie that would have been enjoyable to me even if there hadn't been a twist. So, I just watched it, not worrying about whether there was something to figure out.

[–] Edren 14 years ago

Yeah, I think that sums it up, if you're looking for the twist you will most likely find it.

Life is just one damned thing after another - Elbert Hubbard

[–] adrian_royals 13 years ago

the discription on imdb doesn't help

"uses his blah blah to secure her"
totally spoils the ending >:(

[–] coolaree 13 years ago

Call me retarded as well if you must, but I did not see this 'twist' coming at all! Actually I would have enjoyed it even if there wasnt a twist revealed in 1 minute or so seconds at the end.

Though if you worked out the twist, I can see why you would be bored in retrospect.

[–] pashaali 10 years ago

what about the family doctor's scene with the dutchess body? and how a dutchess didnt had a funeral to expose her fake death? eisenheim took her with him after her fake death? thats not realistic?....i guess eisenheim bribed lot of people to pull this trick.

[–] 10 years ago

[deleted]

[–] at7000 8 years ago

I had the plot twist figured out during the running of the opening credits. Ya'll a bunch of slow learner, idiots.