My Great Uncle Bill was one of a dying breed of magicians. A member of the Magic Circle he lived in Edinburgh and whenever he visited our home in Yorkshire I was allowed to stay up late. Uncle Bill would put on a magic show for the family. On joining the Magic Circle he had sworn never to reveal how he did his tricks.
I remember sitting with my Dad watching Paul Daniels on This Is Your Life, Uncle Bill had been invited along and I was amazed that he was on TV. Unfortunately, years later dementia took hold and his final years were full of confusion. Although, he forgot many things, he never forgot the magic.
When I saw the trailer for the film, The Illusionist, it really struck a chord. The animation is beautiful, there is very little dialogue, but it’s a really touching film.
Directed by Sylvain Chomet, it is released on 20 August.
Synopsis: Details the story of a dying breed of stage entertainer whose thunder is being stolen by emerging rock stars. Forced to accept increasingly obscure assignments in fringe theaters, garden parties and bars, he meets a young fan who changes his life forever.
The Illusionist is a beautiful and melancholic film about the coming-of-age of a young girl and the end-of-an-era for an entertainer. Fabulous stuff.
One Comment on "Abracadabra!"
Jim has been banging on about that. Need to go and see it.
PS HOW cool that your Uncle was in the Magic Circle?!