Years later, he has become a world-renowned illusionist, and Sophie is in the audience with her fiancé, Crown Prince Leopold (Sewell). Eisenheim performs incredible feats, such as making a pit turn into an orange tree that blossoms and bears fruit in a matter of minutes. He makes butterflies carry a handkerchief through the air and conjures up spirit images that tell secrets. The audiences of the early 1900s become frenzied by the supernatural bent of the tricks, many followers think what he is doing is real, and his tricks become more and more impossible. Under instructions from Leopold, Chief Inspector Uhl (Giamatti) is monitoring the performances in case things get out of hand.

Sophie has no intention of marrying Leopold now that she's found her magician again, but the prince has plans to overthrow his father, and Sophie plays an integral part in the scheme. If she doesn't cooperate, he will have to make sure that neither she nor the magician remains in the way of his becoming the emperor. The inspector will have to make sure all that happens. Uhl, however, is as transfixed as he is appalled by the magic that Eisenheim performs, and although he's unraveling the truth about the illusionist and Sophie, he's also not sure he wants to have a hand in the magician's demise.

Reality is up for grabs

The sleight of hand and other tricks done onstage, such as the moving ball and disappearing rose, are all done by Norton himself. Even more amazing, the fantastic illusions and stunts are all recreations of famous tricks done during a time that preceded Harry Houdini. No wonder audiences thought that these magicians had some sort of psychic or supernatural abilities.

The way the story is told through Giamatti's character keeps things constantly up in the air. Is it real, or is it imaginary? Is Eisenheim really able to contact the dead, or is he a charlatan? The way the story unfolds keeps everyone guessing.

Nicely piecing together his tale from an expanded short story, "Eisenheim The Illusionist," director Burger has also assembled a very surprising cast. Norton (Kingdom of Heaven) isn't known for romantic leads, and Biel (Blade: Trinity) isn't known for period pieces. Giamatti (Lady in the Water) isn't usually known to play the heavy, but his lack of a sense of humor in this character is handled well by a guy who's known to be rather droll and very funny.

The film has a European feel to it, and it's more than just because it is all shot in Prague. The pacing and the moodiness show that some of Burger's biggest influences are European directors. The tricks are filmed as if they were seen from the stage, and therefore seem as intriguing as they must have appeared in real life. The romance is credible, and the younger versions of Sophie and the magician look very much like a younger Biel and Norton.

It's one of those rare films that could be recommended to a big cross-section of moviegoers. Families, dates, parents and children alike could enjoy this well-told magical romance, and it could spark some very spirited discussion.