The story of 'The Illusionist' begins with the script, written by the French comedy master Jacques Tati in the 1950s. Tati had a strained relationship with his eldest daughter, prompting him to write her a letter. In this letter, he narrates the tale of a solitary magician who roams the world in search of meaning and connection. Through the train scene at the end of 'The Illusionist' and the daughter's photo that appears at the end, it is clear that the film is an attempt at communication between father and daughter. It is not a grand truth, but a subtle emotion that needs to be understood. This is not a romantic story, but rather a portrayal of the relationship between a father and his daughter.
When Tati's descendants were approached for input regarding the adaptation of 'The Illusionist', his youngest daughter made it clear that she didn't want any actor to portray her father. Therefore, the best way to bring Tati's image to the screen was through animation. Tati was skilled in writing, directing, and acting in silent comedies, and Sylvain Chomet's animation barely required dialogue, making it a perfect fit.
Thinking back to the time of 'WALL-E', The film's first half was acclaimed as a masterpiece due to its absence of dialogue. The audience could feel it with their hearts. However, when the film became more talkative, it lost its charm in Hollywood. 'The Illusionist' takes this to an even greater extent, commencing and concluding in a manner reminiscent of silent films, where narration or dialogue is scarcely necessary. Numerous conversations unfold entirely through body language and facial expressions. Furthermore, the film showcases breath-taking scenes of Scotland and the cityscape of Edinburgh, leaving the viewers in awe.
'The Illusionist' can be interpreted from various perspectives. First, as a work of art in film. In the mid-20th century, the film industry encountered challenges with the rise of emerging media like television. This situation is reminiscent of the magician in the film, tirelessly performing without receiving any appreciation, mirroring the struggle faced by the film industry during that time. It's crucial to acknowledge that films initially embodied the essence of magic and entertainment, with editing techniques enhancing this magical quality. Similar perplexity persists even today, especially in the case of many films, particularly art films, which struggle to find a wide audience and often leave viewers puzzled about their purpose and the meaning behind these cinematic endeavors and magic tricks. Are they not various tricks to deceive and mislead the public? What is the meaning of film and magic?
Secondly, it is Jacques Tati, who tells the story to his daughter through animation. Adapted and presented by Sylvain Chomet, the film becomes a kind of tribute without avoiding the image of the magician himself. In 'The Illusionist,' you can see the night at the restaurant from 'Play Time,' where the tall, thin man in a suit and leather shoes is mistaken for the doorman. To avoid the little girl, the magician breaks into the cinema, tears tickets off a clothes hanger, and encounters a screening of 'My Uncle' on the screen.
Lastly, it is the father-daughter relationship and the universally understood father's love that form the emotional core of 'The Illusionist.' Ultimately, the film resonates with a profound feeling of emotional loss. The contrast between the magician and the defeated clown and ventriloquist is striking, and their stories end tragically. Particularly poignant is the fate of the ventriloquist's puppet, abandoned in a shop window; despite being free, no one shows interest in it. While the magician's destiny isn't as bleak, he still parts ways with the little girl, ceases his magic performances, and sets off on a wandering journey.
In the film, the magician has just one faithful spectator: a young girl who doesn't comprehend the complexities but firmly believes in the enchantment of magic. The magician is confined to performing a clichéd trick of transforming a rabbit, a routine that seems to have defined his entire existence. He is not successful, but his most successful magic is helping the girl grow up and have her own life. Later, the girl became interested in things in the mall, but she didn't have any money, and the boy next to her couldn't perform any magic tricks. It was then that she slowly realized that there was no all-powerful magic in the world, and there was no magician who could do anything.
From childhood to adulthood, a father can lavish his daughter with various gifts — from praises and compliments to elegant shoes and new clothes. He plays the role of a grand magician, seemingly capable of conjuring up anything. However, magicians are mere illusions; they can't endure a lifetime, weaving dreams of the ideal husband or the perfect life. For meticulous and perpetually dissatisfied children, as they mature with each passing day, they might notice their father's skills waning. His performances become lackluster, akin to someone who has spent a lifetime merely pulling rabbits out of a hat. Yet, compared to the disappointment of a failed magician, these children might someday face an even harsher truth. That is, the magician will leave first. It is only then that they will truly cherish the time spent with the magician.
In the rainy Edinburgh, passers-by come and go, and no one pays attention to the small and big magic tricks in life. The lights fade, marking the end of the magician's performance. With both the magician and the girl gone, the room is left in silence. Outside the window, the wind rustles, causing the shadows on the wall to dance and transform. In that fleeting moment, even if it's just a silhouette, it brims with emotions, enough to shatter anyone's heart. Did you truly witness it in that instant?
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