Fridae

Is Edward Norton the best actor of our times? His ability to lend elegance, intelligence and conviction to nearly every role he takes on easily surpasses those of most Hollywood actors. If you don't believe us, watch The Illusionist and The Painted Veil (currently playing in cinemas) back-to-back, and be amazed by his presence and sophistication as an actor.

In The Illusionist, a period romance set in Vienna at the turn of the 20th century, he plays an enigmatic magician who is still very much in love with his ex-sweetheart (the lovely Jessica Biel). However, she is engaged to be married to a frog of a prince (Rufus Sewell). When the prince finds out that the magician is eyeing his fianc�e, he gets the police inspector (Paul Giamatti) to shut down the magician's increasingly spectacular show. But like all good magicians, Edward's character has tricks up his sleeve...

The Illusionist is a perfectly-crafted, skillfully-directed historical romance that boasts terrific performances by Edward Norton and Paul Giamatti. Rufus Sewell is reliably good, although Jessica Biel has never quite been able to rise to the occasion when given complex roles. The recreation of Hapsburg Vienna in the 1890s is nothing short of sumptuous. So gorgeous is the city, you wished you could turn back the clock and live in that era.

With all the good films opening this week, you might think of catching this later on DVD. But the film's lively evocation of Vienna and Norton's character's splendid magic shows are probably best viewed on nothing shorter than a three-metre high screen. So catch it in the cinema if you can.