In "The Illusionist", who does Eisenheim love?

In “The Illusionist,” Eisenheim loves Sophie, his childhood sweetheart and the Duchess von Teschen.

Set in Vienna in 1889, the film follows Eisenheim, born Eduard Abramovich, who becomes a celebrated illusionist after years of travel and study. He reunites with Sophie, but their romance is threatened by the rigid class system: Eisenheim is the son of a carpenter, while Sophie belongs to the aristocracy.

Sophie is also expected to marry Crown Prince Leopold, a powerful and violent royal figure. Her engagement drives the central conflict and pushes Eisenheim toward an elaborate plan involving stage illusions, apparent supernatural events, and Sophie's supposed death.

A common mix-up is confusing Sophie with Jessica Biel, the actress who plays her, or with Crown Prince Leopold, who is Sophie's arranged fiancé. The film is loosely based on Steven Millhauser's short story “Eisenheim the Illusionist.”