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Poster for The Illusionist

The Illusionist

Seen it?

2010 | 80 min | Animation, Drama

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

Critics loved it (90% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a box office loss and little lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for animation lovers. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Feel-good.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 20 min.
What might put you off
  • Rated PG. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.
  • It's in French, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

A French illusionist travels to Scotland to work. He meets a young woman in a small village. Their ensuing adventure in Edinburgh changes both their lives forever.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    90% on Rotten Tomatoes, 82 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.3 out of 10

  • AwardsSolid

    Nominated for 1 Oscar, 1 Golden Globe and 1 Critics' Choice Award.

  • Box office & staying powerBelow par

    $6 million worldwide on a $18 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactBelow par

    About 62K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Sylvain Chomet

  • Jean-Claude DondaTatischeff / French Cinema Manager (voice)
  • Eilidh RankinAlice (voice)
  • Didier GustinSongs (voice)
  • Jil AigrotSongs (voice)
  • Jacques TatiMonsieur Hulot (archive footage) (uncredited)
  • Duncan MacNeilAdditional Voices (voice)
  • Raymond MearnsAdditional Voices (voice)
  • James T. MuirAdditional Voices (voice)
  • Tom UrieAdditional Voices (voice)
  • Paul BandeyAdditional Voices (voice)