The Illusionist

Beautiful, quirky, funny and atmospheric, this is the tale of the friendship between an entertainer facing the end of his era, and a young girl entering the beginning of hers. Based on a screenplay by Jaques Tati, this is animation which, like it's subject, looks less and less viable and is all the more valuable thereby. As in Chomet's previous feature Belleville Rendezvous, the characters speak largely through action and physical presence, and Tati's characteristic warmth and masterful comedic timing shine through.