Illusion (2004) Reviews

• One for the Ages!

  ericsjam2004-11-08

  The "Illusion" reminds me of Cinema Paradiso and Broadway Danny Rose in that it challenges the viewer to suspend its belief and follow the fantasy of second chances and missed opportunities. This is done in an effective manner with the main characters played by Kirk Douglas and Mike Goorjian. The challenges of the film are evident in how much to show both the viewer and Douglas' character without giving away the whole truth. Goorjian's character is consistently interesting in that with no direct intervention of a patriarch, he is destined to attack life in unconventionally original ways. An example of this is the wooing of his first and only love by round-robin poetry. Douglas is very engaging, searching for his son through the only medium which he can relate-cinema. Understandably, neither character changes, until the very end. It is a sad statement on the affairs of father/son relationships. Not being able/unwilling to relate seems to be the common theme in this film. However, when it counts, a true father's voice will always ring loud and clear. The performances are consistent and distant at the same time. This is clearly a complex film which simply describes lost relationships rediscovered in the only medium that can truly impacts everyone. Yet its appeal can translate to all ages. This film should be seen all and I feel that Kirk Douglas may finally have found his first Oscar.

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• The celestial movies

  bkoganbing2013-08-08

  The concept of our lives somehow being recorded by some celestial camera and ready for viewing at Judgment Day is an old one. What distinguishes Illusion is that there is no judgment except the one in your own mind as life on this plane ends. That's what is happening to legendary film director Kirk Douglas as his life ends. During some dream he's visited by the ghost of a former film editor passed away long ago. And they go to the movies and see a life of his estranged son played by film creator Michael Goorjian and his pursuit of the love of his life Karen Tucker. In the end Douglas asks for a different ending to the film and some heavenly editing. Illusions is an ambitious undertaking and while it doesn't totally succeed there's enough there for us to enjoy and appreciate life. God knows we all look back at things we might have done differently, would we could edit out portions of our lives. In fact I'm not sure of an autobiography exists where the author is 100% truthful. Goorjian and Douglas give wonderful performances. And Kirk did come back to do one more. But I think in many ways this is an epitaph film for him.

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• Where American Cinema Should Be Heading

  raqueldiaz842006-02-23

  If you were disappointed with 'Pride and Prejudice', fell asleep during 'The New World' and tried to get your money back from watching 'Elizabethtown' then you will be very well entertained by illusion. I was hooked about seven minutes into it when Mr. Baines (Douglas) reveals his notion of what romance is in film and literature. 'Illusion' only continues deliver. There are nougats of wisdom spread throughout an aesthetically rich canvas. Whenever there is a brief moment where you feel a line is too cinematically familiar there will be this raw emotion spilling out and for the first time you believe the words, because you feel the pain. The film is thick with visual and auditory nuances that make this movie a must-see-again, (i. e. notice how Cristopher always carries that same wallet in the same pocket and his pants will always be more worn in the same corner). There are mini-movies inside the movie each so different from the other yet with reoccurring themes. Plus, the soundtrack was awesome, even though I didn't recognize any of the songs. Oh, and also Christopher aged seamlessly. Lately it seems as though American film has had yearning for the extreme. As if the only ones worthy of their story being told on screen are those uncommonly brave in extraordinarily difficult situations who decide to take the difficult route. This is a film about average people who are in coincidental but plausible circumstances and who take the easy way out most of the time. These are things we all do. This is a story we have all lived; what makes this story special is that it was told by a spectacular cast and overseen by an incredible director with a vision of where American Cinema should be heading.

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• Classic film in the making

  aishteruima2005-01-12

  This is one of those stories that just adds up. I saw this at the Palm Springs film festival and was of course impressed by Kirk's performance but was impressed even more so by the nature of the story. Based on a french play, the conceit of the piece is clever and resonant. We would all like the opportunity to rewrite something about our lives, this takes that idea and the idea of love showing itself regardless of distance or time to a new level. I think this is a great piece for families. While the audience I was with was rather old there is nothing in this that would not appeal to anyone who has a father, with whom they might have a difficult relationship or for that matter anyone with a child.

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• Sarasota loved this movie

  carend19652005-02-01

  I saw the screening of this movie at the 2005 Sarasota Film Festival. The sold out theater LOVED this movie! Acting/story/directing was top notch. Mr. Goorgian charmed the viewers during the Q & A session after the screening. The story moved quickly and we couldn't wait to see the outcome. Mr. Douglas was excellent, but Mr. Goorjian stole the show with his acting. He stated that this film has strengthened the already solid bond between himself and his own father. "The best film of the Festival"...."It brought tears to my eyes"....."Excellent"....were some of the comments from film viewers. Every father and son should go see this movie.

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