When You Want to Do Life Over : A Review of The Illusion

Just recently watched the Illusion with Kirk Douglas.  This is the moving story of a screen writer/director (forget which) who is very old and on the verge of dying.

Great start,  right? 

 Anyway as you learn more about this screen writer/director you find out that he was a dad at one point in his life but decided to pursue his career rather than be a caring dad and is now realizing that was a poor choice in his life.  He has a son who is a romantic and has struggled not having a father figure in his life.  His son is actually a pretty nice guy and is in love with a mysterious woman who continues to pop up in his life.  Kirk Douglas plays the aged father and does a great job with his role. Found out this was Kirk Douglas' declared last movie.   Much of the movie is showing Kirk Douglas' observation of how his son grows up without him around.  He realizes that his son has a negative self-image continually spoken to him in his father's voice, because of one pivotal moment where his dad drives off to pursue his career rather than picking up his son for his allocated time of the week with him.   Here is what I liked about Illusion:

1. Great movie that depicts the power of a father in the life of his son.   Not having a dad is a rough way to grow up.  A positive father figure in a child's life is a powerful factor that is not always portrayed in movies today.

2. Kind of comes off a bit like Highway to Heaven or Touched by An Angel -  without going too much into plot details this movie resembles Highway to Heaven where an angel comes and shows you your life in way that makes you want to change it.  A Christmas Carol is also very similar in theme to some of the parts of the Illusion.

3. Great redemptive ending -  I admit I don't always like a miserable, sad ending just because it is realistic and artsy.   I'm not saying I love movies that always come out happy and singing songs - but a good story with a good ending makes me encouraged to see more movies that have values.  Illusion delivers with a great ending that makes you reflect on your own life and relationships and helps you to think about the choices you are making now in life.

4. For a romantic movie - it definitely kept my interest.  I don't love romantic movies all that much.  The occasional chick flick I can enjoy watching with my wife,  but overall I don't rush to turn on Romeo and Juliet just for good times.  This movie was different in that it spun an interesting romance that kept me intrigued by how it was going to turn out.   I actually thought it was a fun journey as the main character's son continues to pursue this woman who has meant so much to him throughout his life.

Overall - if you are looking for a good movie in the same category as A Christmas Carol,  you may enjoy watching The Illusion.   It had a great soundtrack and a redemptive story overall.  4 star rating in my book.