Scene of attempted suicide.

Release date: 20 August 2010

Running time: 79 mins

Director: Sylvain Chomet

Starring: Jean-Claude Donda, Edith Rankin

The city of Edinburgh becomes the star of this beautiful new animated film from the director of 'Belleville Rendez-Vous'.

After causing a sensation with his charming and timeless 2003 animated masterpiece 'Belleville Rendez-Vous', director Sylvain Chomet moved to the Scottish capital of Edinburgh. Based on an unfilmed script by French comic genius Jacques Tati (who died in 1982), Chomet's new offering is 'The Illusionist', a poignant and delightful tale of an unlikely friendship. It also captures the magic of Edinburgh itself, with Chomet's matchless animation recreating the city with wonderfully evocative 1950s period detail. The Illusionist of the title is one of a dying breed of old-time stage entertainers. With emerging new acts taking away his audience, he is forced to accept increasingly obscure assignments. However, while performing in a village pub off the west coast of Scotland, he encounters Alice, an innocent young girl, who will change his life forever...

Screenplay: Sylvain Chomet, Jacques Tati

You should see it because: The opening gala movie at this year's Edinburgh International Film Festival, it's a good, old-fashioned animated treat.

See it if you liked: Belleville Rendez-Vous (2003), Paris, Je t'aime (2006), Ratatouille (2007)