This is a wonderfully charming animated film from Sylvain Chomet (who brought us 'Triplets of Belville', a raucous animated film that was neither Disney nor Miyazaki in style or content, a decidedly adult amimation effort) that is largely without dialogue--we couldn't get the subtitles to work, but after 20 minutes realized that between what we inderstood of French and the overall lack of dialogue, we really didn't need them.
The story is simple and charming--the illusionist is an old-style magician who travels from theatre to theatre. While it is gradually dawning on him that the era for his sort of entertainment is waning, he meets a girl who believes that he is truly magical. She is so taken with what she sees in him (hope, relief from her life of drudery, a friend) that she follows him, and her belief in him works. It does save her--and he is better for trying to save her (although she is the clear winner in the relationship). Lovely story, well told, with pictures rather than words.
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