2006年VOA标准英语-Eisenheim the Magician

By Penelope Poulou
Washington, D.C.
22 August 2006
 
watch Illusionist review

Eisenheim is more than just a magician in a new movie that recreates Vienna of 100 years ago. 

Eisenheim is a magician who captivates the nobles and high society of Vienna  
  
The theater manager announces to his audience, "From the furthest corners of the world where the dark arts still hold sway, I present to you a man that has unlocked these mysteries. Tonight, ….I give you Eisenheim!!!"

Eisenheim is a mind-bending magician who takes early 20th-century Vienna by storm.

Prince Leopold is the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne. He not only questions Eisenheim's gifts.  He also is threatened by the magician's growing fame.

 
Rufus Sewell plays the role of Prince Leopold
  
"Eisenheim, as far as he's concerned, represents everything that is old-fashioned and wrong about the way his countrymen think," says actor Rufus Sewell who interprets the authoritarian¹ Prince Leopold.

"And as Eisenheim gets more and more popular, he sees him striking a chord with the country and the more a chord that strikes with the country, the further he [Leopold] becomes from actually gaining power."

The growing antagonism² between the two men transcends³ politics. Both are fiercely intelligent and charismatic. They vie for the same woman -- Leopold through rank and social status, Eisenheim out of love. 

Eisenheim, played by Ed Norton, competes with the Prince for the love of Duchess Sophie von Teschen   
  
She is Duchess Sophie von Teschen, played by actress Jessica Biel. "Sophie and Eisenheim were childhood friends. Then we get separated, and we don't see each other for a long time.  And when you see me again in the film for the first time, we're just kind of getting to know each other again. Seeing each other for the first time in ten years or so."

With her classic beauty, intricate costumes, and memorable⁴ performance, Jessica Biel is transformed into a larger-than-life Hungarian aristocrat⁵.

But the film's driving forces are actors Ed Norton and Paul Giamatti. Norton is commanding in his role as the enigmatic magician.  Giamatti interprets police inspector⁶ Uhl, a clever and wiry man torn between his allegiance to Prince Leopold and his fascination⁷ with the gifted illusionist. 

 
Jessica Biel, not in costume as the duchess 
  
"The effect he has on most people in this kind of fascistic world is that he kind of frees them up," says Giamatti. "There is something about him that sparks these people's imaginations and for that reason is threatening to the people in power. Something about that makes my character sympathetic to him."

"Eisenheim, I don't want to arrest you," says the inspector. "I am a cynical⁸ man, God knows. But, If your manifestations⁹ are somehow real, and even I am willing to admit that you are a very special person, and if it's a trick, then it's equally impressive. Either way, you have a gift. So, don't make me put you in jail. Promise me you won't do it again."

Eisenheim  replies, "I promise you will enjoy this next show."

This is a luxurious¹⁰ period film, complete with genuine turn-of-the-century illusions and a captivating soundtrack.  Director Neil Berger offers a rich visual experience without losing sight of the riveting¹¹ plot and complex characters. Add to that the movie's unexpected twists and you have sheer magic.

1 authoritarian   

n./adj.专制(的)，专制主义者，独裁主义者

参考例句：

• Foreign diplomats suspect him of authoritarian tendencies.各国外交官怀疑他有着独裁主义倾向。
• The authoritarian policy wasn't proved to be a success.独裁主义的政策证明并不成功。

2 antagonism   

n.对抗，敌对，对立

参考例句：

• People did not feel a strong antagonism for established policy.人们没有对既定方针产生强烈反应。
• There is still much antagonism between trades unions and the oil companies.工会和石油公司之间仍然存在着相当大的敌意。

3 transcends   

超出或超越（经验、信念、描写能力等）的范围( transcend的第三人称单数 )； 优于或胜过…

参考例句：

• The chemical dilution technique transcends most of the difficulties. 化学稀释法能克服大部分困难。
• The genius of Shakespeare transcends that of all other English poets. 莎士比亚的才华胜过所有的其他英国诗人。

4 memorable   

adj.值得回忆的，难忘的，特别的，显著的

参考例句：

• This was indeed the most memorable day of my life.这的确是我一生中最值得怀念的日子。
• The veteran soldier has fought many memorable battles.这个老兵参加过许多难忘的战斗。

5 aristocrat   

n.贵族，有贵族气派的人，上层人物

参考例句：

• He was the quintessential english aristocrat.他是典型的英国贵族。
• He is an aristocrat to the very marrow of his bones.他是一个道道地地的贵族。

6 inspector   

n.检查员，监察员，视察员

参考例句：

• The inspector was interested in everything pertaining to the school.视察员对有关学校的一切都感兴趣。
• The inspector was shining a flashlight onto the tickets.查票员打着手电筒查看车票。

7 fascination   

n.令人着迷的事物，魅力，迷恋

参考例句：

• He had a deep fascination with all forms of transport.他对所有的运输工具都很着迷。
• His letters have been a source of fascination to a wide audience.广大观众一直迷恋于他的来信。

8 cynical   

adj.(对人性或动机)怀疑的，不信世道向善的

参考例句：

• The enormous difficulty makes him cynical about the feasibility of the idea.由于困难很大，他对这个主意是否可行持怀疑态度。
• He was cynical that any good could come of democracy.他不相信民主会带来什么好处。

9 manifestations   

n.表示，显示（manifestation的复数形式）

参考例句：

• These were manifestations of the darker side of his character. 这些是他性格阴暗面的表现。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• To be wordly-wise and play safe is one of the manifestations of liberalism. 明哲保身是自由主义的表现之一。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

10 luxurious   

adj.精美而昂贵的；豪华的

参考例句：

• This is a luxurious car complete with air conditioning and telephone.这是一辆附有空调设备和电话的豪华轿车。
• The rich man lives in luxurious surroundings.这位富人生活在奢侈的环境中。

11 riveting   

adj.动听的，令人着迷的，完全吸引某人注意力的；n.铆接（法）

参考例句：

• I find snooker riveting though I don't play myself.虽然我自己不打斯诺克，但是我觉得它挺令人着迷。
• To my amazement,I found it riveting.但令我惊讶的是，我发现它的吸引人处。