Review: Illusion (***)

ILLUSION
A film review by Steve Rhodes

Copyright 2006 Steve Rhodes



RATING (0 TO ****): ***



In ILLUSION, a mysterious and sometimes tragic romance, Donal Baines (Kirk
Douglas) is a movie director near death, who has a life's story shown to him
in three visions, much as the ghosts did to Ebenezer Scrooge in "A Christmas
Carol." These stories, which all occur in the past, involve not his own
life but that of his son Christopher, whom he abandoned when the lad was
about five. Emmy winning actor Michael A. Goorjian, who plays Christopher,
is the film's insightful director and co-writer.



This entertaining and poignant tale is framed with scenes set in an empty
theater. Stan (Ron Marasco), who was Donal's editor before Stan died, has
come back to earth to show Donal three reels or "records" he has compiled of
three ages of his son's life. In the first, set in high school, Christopher
pursues the illusive Isabelle (Karen Tucker), the girl of his dreams, by
using poetry and flowers, while she seems more impressed with the
varsity-jacketed crowd with whom she is used to running. Later episodes
occur when Christopher is a moth (actually a Goth, but Donal hears Stan
incorrectly) and when Christopher goes on a search for Isabelle later in
life.



Donal can be quite eloquent is found in the space between people," he tells
a reporter, while pointing to a picture on his bedroom wall of the balcony
scene from "Romeo & Juliet." Donal eschews pretension. When the reporter
asks him about his "craft," it makes him mad. He assures the reporter that
he has never, ever, been into basket weaving.



As Donal watches his son on the big screen, he has to grimace when his son
imagines the derogatory things his father would be saying about his son's
actions. I would never say that, he tries to tell both the screen and Stan.
Becoming as captivated and riveted as we are by the stories that are
unfolding, Donal searches for what his son's "motor" is, i.e. what is it
that drives him.



You'll be as mesmerized and agitated as Donal, as you become concerned about
Christopher's life. After all, as Stan correctly points out, "People end up
in movies they never expect to be in," and they "keep repeating the same
storylines." Christopher has had a long streak of bad luck in his life.
Will it continue or will he get the Hollywood ending he deserves? Suffice
it to say that you'll be guessing until almost the end. And don't just
naively assume that you'll get it right.



ILLUSION runs 1:46. It is rated PG-13 for "some violence" and would be
acceptable for kids around 9 and up.



The film opens in limited release in the United States on Friday, February
17, 2006. In the Silicon Valley, it will be showing at the Camera Cinemas.
The movie was shown recently at the Camera Cinema Club
(http://www.cameracinemas.com) of Campbell and San Jose with the director
present for some fascinating Q&A. You don't want to miss this little gem of
a film.



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