Writer/director Sylvain Chomet (Belleville Rendez-vous) creates another charming animated tale here, based on an unproduced screenplay by Jacques Tati. Chomet changed the story's setting from central Europe to Scotland and, although The Illusionist is animated, he also moved to Edinburgh to make the film "on location". He retains a late 1950s setting for the story of Tatischeff, an ageing, old-fashioned magician competing against pop groups for engagements. He winds up on a remote Scottish island where Alice, an innocent young woman, mistakes his tricks for genuine magic and follows him to Edinburgh. The magician then takes on a series of jobs in order to keep her dreams alive. There is an element of Brigadoon to the portrayal of Scotland as a land of innocence and magic, while the immaculate period detail provides an element of reality. Dialogue is minimal, and the animation is old-fashioned yet distinctive, in keeping with the story. Some may think the film infuriatingly slight, but others will relish it for those very same qualities.

A French illusionist travels to Scotland to work. He meets a young woman in a small village. Their ensuing adventure in Edinburgh changes both their lives forever.