The Prestige

wordmonkey wrote on IMDB:

What "The Prestige" does very well is recreate a period of show business history near the turn of the century in which competition between magicians was serious and intense. The workings of the complicated illusions are gorgeously brought to life via smartly detailed apparatus that replicate the actual mechanics of Victorian legerdemain.

Much of the film rings very true, such as the all-consuming obsessions of the lead characters to be the best and outdo all others. It's an easy step to accept that such unwavering determination spills over into deadly territory, as rival magicians suave Rupert Angier (a riveting performance by Hugh Jackman) and audacious Alfred Borden (Christian Bale effortlessly playing a brooding lower-class Brit) each seek to wreak continuing revenge upon the other.   [ show more ]

The story, though adapted from a novel, feels like a perfect fit for director Nolan's sensibilities, as the machinations of the two men become increasingly convoluted during a back-and-forth tug of wits that keeps you guessing in the style of Nolan's "Memento." As the game grows increasingly deadly, and threatens to consume all they love, the film becomes a fascinating study in single-mindedness.

The work is epic in sweep, beautifully filmed, and strongly acted. The only odd note in casting is David Bowie as Nikola Tesla (he looks nothing like the actual Tesla, if you care about these sort of things, and his appearance calls attention to itself as superstar casting often does), but Mr. Bowie holds his own. Solid performances are all around, with Michael Caine adding dignity and depth as the old master, Scarlett Johanssen as the as the lovely stage assistant who becomes the third point in a twisted love triangle, and even Andy Serkis (Gollum!) in a memorable supporting role.

The introduction of Tesla adds yet another twist, as the film shifts from real-but-possible stage illusion to steam-punkish sci-fi. This transition is a hard note to pull off, since the beginning of the film doesn't quite suggest such a direction, but if you're willing to let Nolan lead you on the journey into increasingly fantastic realms, the narrative rewards you with thought-provoking moral and dramatic exploration of the issues raised.

A truly entertaining movie, and an original, unusual, dark ride -- well worth seeing in a theater for its grand scope and vision. [ show less ]

movie_man2006 wrote on IMDB:

This is why I'm considering 2006 the best year for movies in this decade. When I think I've seen enough excellent movies, one more just pops out to stun me. Christopher Nolan has proved to everyone how he is a spectacular director. After the magnificent ''Memento'', he continued a great career with the great ''Imsonia'' and the thrilling ''Batman Begins''. Now, he defines his career with ''The Prestige'', a mysterious dramatic thriller that proves to be his best movie since ''Memento''. The story revolves around two starting magicians, Rupert Angier and Alfred Borden (Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale, respectively), who start a friendship that eventually turns into rivalry after Rupert's wife is killed in a magic trick that went wrong. After that, the two start trying to discover each other's secrets, and ruin their tricks. It all changes when Alfred discovers the ultimate trick: the Transported Man, a trick that will make Rupert lose his mind in order to decipher it. ''Prestige'' is not a movie for everyone. It has a great amount of twists and turns, and has the ability to leave people shocked and confused. It is a love it or hate it type of film- and that's exactly what I'm afraid of. This movie is one of the best movies of the year (behind ''The Fountain'' and ''The Departed''), and marks a new beginning to the career of those involved in it. Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman give out powerful performances. One man is confident and cool, while the other one is just losing his senses. I can imagine no other actors to portray these characters. Scarlett Johansson provides another good performance, and Andy Serkis is a vital part to the movie. The film also features a solid performance of David Bowie, playing an expert in electricity. Michael Caine is worthy of praise here, delivering another great performance. The movie, technically, is brilliant. The period of time portrayed (Victorian Era, curiously also shown in another magic movie this year, the weak ''The Illusionist'') is taken to perfection. The costumes are great, effects are truly believable, and the photography is stunning. The script is groundbreaking, offering great solutions and stunning twists. No doubt about it, this movie will suffer of an evil that another brilliant movie, ''The Departed'', suffered this year: people will criticize its ending. If you ask me, it was brilliant. This is a dark movie, one that may give you creeps through your body. And I love it when a movie can give me this feeling. The pace of the movie is non-linear, and that gets in the way a bit. But it is, beginning from today, one of my favorite contestants to the Oscar. Sure, this is not an Academy type movie. But if the Academy takes the idea of honoring the best movies of the year, than this movie will be there. A movie with the power of becoming a cult classic, ''The Prestige'' is magical. In every sense of the word.---10/10

girlwithpen wrote on IMDB:

I couldn't help myself. I just kept saying "wow, what a beautifully crafted film," all the way home, and around my house when I arrived home. I have not been so captured and entertained in a long time. I was especially enamored with the screen writing and how tightly and beautifully the visual metaphors tied in with the writing, and with the impact of the human message about obsession, competition and retribution carried to the extreme.

One can relate to this personal human struggle for victory over another at all costs on a much grander scale, as the two magicians could easily be symbolic of how leaders of countries come to blows with each other, at the expense of their women and children -- something we struggle with right now in our world. There are deeper layers of this film that will be uncovered over time.   [ show more ]

Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale and Sir Michael Caine all contributed stunning, emotional performances. Rebecca Hall, who played Sarah to Bale's Alfred Borden, turned in a highly charged performance as well, making Scarlett Johansson's Olivia flat in comparison. And although some people thought the plot line a bit tedious, I found it to be refreshingly complex and engaging, while not being so complex as to lose you. If you can't follow this one, you've been watching television too long. And who cares if the illusions are mundane or scientifically unbelievable? Isn't that what both movies and illusions ask us to do? To suspend disbelief? Meantime, there's a message in its madness. Hello.

The film is visually moody and evocative, easily transporting you into the time period. What more could you ask for? A film is a visual medium and this one is a visual ten. The acting is superb as well as the plot. It keeps you interested; it keeps you guessing right to the shocking but most appropriate end.

It asks you, what is one willing to sacrifice for the "prestige?"

I think this one's an Oscar definite. [ show less ]