Illusion (2006)

36% of critics liked it
(11 reviews)
83% of users liked it
(793 ratings)

Renowned director Douglas Baines takes pause for a rare moment of self-reflection at the end of his life. Master of the romantic pictures, Baines himself never married and was emotionally unable to claim the child born of an on-set affair. Now on his deathbed, he is troubled by thoughts of the son… More Renowned director Douglas Baines takes pause for a rare moment of self-reflection at the end of his life. Master of the romantic pictures, Baines himself never married and was emotionally unable to claim the child born of an on-set affair. Now on his deathbed, he is troubled by thoughts of the son he never came forth to claim. The son, Christopher, is haunted by the knowledge that his father never wanted him. Now, surrounded by hospice staff, Baines seems ready to admit defeat until Stan, the best editor Baines ever had, arrives with difficult news. Realizing that the end is closer than he imagined, Baines is forced to choose between letting the scene end tragically or stepping forward to right past wrongs.

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 46 min.
Directed By: Michael A. Goorjian
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Feb 17, 2006 Wide
On DVD: May 29, 2007

Critic Reviews

Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
Douglas does his best acting while watching and reacting to what he sees on screen. If this ends up being his cinematic swan song, it will not have been a bad way to go.
Luke Y. Thompson, New Times
No doubt the director worked with what he could get, and was extremely fortunate that he could get an icon of the screen to bless his project.
Mike McGranaghan, Aisle Seat
One of the worst dramas I have ever seen. In fact, this movie is so dramatically inept that I wanted to tear my eyeballs out.
Rory L. Aronsky, Film Threat
Unavoidably, there are some sugary moments and clichés such as rain-soaked kisses and outlandish "artistic" stage performances, but [Illusion] keeps hold of that just-another-day-in-Hollywood feeling.
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times
There's a sincerity to the filmmaking here that's at times quite touching: Illusion presents a portrait of true love that's as picture perfect as the sunny spring garden in which we see Isabelle.
William Arnold, Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Several of its transitions are glaringly contrived, and its morality tale never quite comes together to be the shattering spiritual experience it wants to be.
Frank Swietek, One Guy's Opinion
It's a joy to see Kirk Douglas on screen again. That's not quite enough to make this...recommendable, but it's a reason you might want to take a look at it despite the flaws.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Filmmaking at its most sappy.
Peter Canavese, Groucho Reviews
The unabashed melodrama of the flashbacks and present-day climax can't compete with the theatrical oomph provided by Douglas and Marasco...at the picture's spine.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
Ironically, for a movie about the film business, Illusion is shot on grungy video and looks terrible.
Steve Rhodes, Internet Reviews
You don't want to miss this little gem of a film.

Read all 11 critic reviews

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Cast

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