Here it is the days of September, typically the time when films that could'nt make the summer roster get dumped, and yet I've just seen one of the years best films. With the package we also get a significant comeback performance by Edward Norton, who stars as Eisenheim, the title character. Norton's character begins as a peasant class boy in 19th century Austria who, in a fabled manner, meets a magician by a tree who offers some magic tips before dissapearing (with the tree - it gets better). Young Eisenheim falls for a beautiful young girl of nobility who wishes him to be able to hide them from her dissaproving family. He is unable to and hence lovelorn and alone he searches the far corners of the earth to find all the great illusionist secrets.

Fifteen years transpire and he returns, bringing with him an elaborate stage show complete with hired hands from the Orient. His show captures the fancy of a police inspector played with resolute brilliance by Paul Giamatti - who is really becoming our most solid character performer. The inspector is also the confidante of the Archduke's son, played by Rufus Sewell with a bit of the villainous gusto he displayed in 2001's A Knights Tale. The Duke Prince sees the Illusionists show and brings along his future bride (Jessica Biel), who just so happens to be Eisenheim's childhood love. She volunteers for an act of illusion an subsequently the old flame is rekindled. This sets in motion a rivalry involving the Prince's attempts to prove Eisenhauer a fraud, as well as Norton and Beil plotting an escape from Austria and Giamatti trying to outwit the fleeing lovers while trying to keep his job. It is fun watching Giamatti work his magic as he tries to figure out Eisenheim and out-maneuver the Prince while anchoring the film from drifting into fantasy. Norton and Biel are both restrained and rife with emotional intensity, giving the film both meaning and a sense of magic.

In the end we get the real magic of true love, illusions of many kinds, with first rate performances and terrific set and costume design. Possible Oscar contender.