The Illusionist

THE Illusionist is fascinating and draws its audience into the story in a lovely but mysterious way.

There is no – or very little – dialogue, so sometimes I wasn’t sure if I was following the story, but the animation is simply brilliant.

This movie by the French film-maker Sylvain Comet is based on an unproduced script by Jacques Tati, written in 1956 and the result is utterly magical to watch.

It’s centred on an old-fashioned magician who pulls unruly rabbits out of a hat and flowers from his sleeve, and I think it’s set in the 50s. Unable to find work, the illusionist heads for Edinburgh, and brings along with him a companion in the form of a young girl from rural Scotland.

I’m not sure whether she sees him as a father figure or something else – but the story ends quite sadly.

However, the scenes from Edinburgh are simply fantastic and mesmerising at the same time.