"The Illusionist" is a mildly diverting and nostalgic film about a powerful magician who misuses his power and pines for a beautiful duchess. The story isn’t brilliant or completely original, but the performances help put it over.

"The Illusionist" recalls some of the 1930’s films about mesmerism, such as "Svengali" (1931) and "Dracula" (1931), even though it is not a horror film. All of these films seem to express a post Freudian fear of the power of the mind.

My theory is that all those films also provide wish fulfillment for male viewers that wish they could win over women that are too young, rich or other wise unattainable.

Neil Burger adapted Steve Millhauser’s short story, "Eisenheim the Illusionist," into the screenplay. Burger also made "Interview with an Assassin" (2002), an underrated JFK murder/ conspiracy thriller.

The excellent score was done by the great minimalist musician, Philip Glass. Glass has long been one of the most dependable and creative film composers.

The film stars Ed Norton as the lead character. Norton has enough potential and acting chops to become one of the top actors in Hollywood. But he often picks films and/or roles that are far beneath his talent. "Primal Fear" (1996), "American History X" (1998), "Fight Club" (1999), and "The 25^th Hour" (2002)" are the only films that used him well.

But his performances in Woody Allen’s "Everybody Says I Love You" (1996), "Death to Smoochy" (2002), and "Red Dragon" (2002) were major disappointments.

Norton’s co-star in "The Illusionist," Jessica Biel, is a different story. She made it big playing a pure schoolgirl in a Christian household on TVs "Seventh Heaven" (1996-2002). Ever since, she has struggled valiantly (with only moderate success) to change her image. She helped ruin "Blade: Trinity" with her unconvincing turn as a vampire slayer, but she was terrific as a rebellious teen in "Ulee’s Gold."

Biel is quite good in "The Illusionist" playing Sophie, the type of role that usually goes to people like Scarlett Johansson.

The star of the show is Eisenheim, a powerful magician (played by Ed Norton) who used to be romantically involved with Sophie. When Eisenheim asks for some audience assistance, Leopold stupidly volunteers Sophie, unaware of the feelings that still exist between them.

Eisenheim is still smitten with Sophie, but a permanent union would be unthinkable because she is so above his social class. Despite her upcoming marriage, Sophie begins to see Eisenheim behind Leopold’s back. This results in a murder and a mystery.

The story and acting are fairly good but I have a complaint, which is more about the state of independent cinema than this particular film. "The Illusionist" (like "Sideways") is an Indy film that takes few great risks and has few experimental or edgy elements.

Independent film has gotten so over-commercialized that many of the most touted Indy films are just lower budget versions of mainstream formula pics. I would like to see more Indy films that follow the daring example of "The Saddest Music in the World" rather than "The Illusionist" or "Sideways."

Nonetheless, "The Illusionist" is still reasonably compelling, and involving.