"The Illusionist"

Written by Jacques Tati ("Mon Oncle") about 50 years ago, the script tells a story with practically no spoken words. (Maybe 20 words in the whole film!) Rather this animated film directed by Mr. Sylvain Chomet is a unique, one of a kind visual treat, telling the mesmerizng tale of a tall, lanky rather elderly (or at least not young), magic (?) performer who travels from town to town, venue to venue, and interacts with many other vaudeville performers as well as a young girl who mops floors and is fascinated with our hero. The art work is superb! I've never seen anything like it. Not computer generated, not Disneyesque, it's very different. Almost every frame is worthy to hang in an art gallery, where the detailed imagery could be fully savored. The characters do not move smoothly, but again, in a unique styylized manner. Perhaps you may remember "The Triplets of Bellemont" (or was it Belleview?) from a few years ago. Same director. Bravo. FOUR STARS.