Mesmerising!
First of all, Edward Norton is fantastic as usual.
And Jessica Beil is excellent.
I believe them immediately, they have great chemistry.
And the Italian's kinda cute.
The biggest flaw really is that she's a princess. So running away with the magician was always going to be a problem! The story is good, but not fantastic. Actually it IS fantastic, just not..well you get the point.
It's the cinematography that sparkles here, and the whimsical yet honest way it is directed.
It's so nicely crafted, and painted...like Caravagio, it's mesmerising.
And the pay-off is worth waiting for.
P.S.
Philip Glass rocks as usual.
Also, however, The Prestige is a better film.