The Prestige

Title: The Prestige
Director: Christopher Nolan
Cast: Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Michael Caine
Year: 2006
MPAA: Rated PG-13 for violence and disturbing images.
Date of Review: October 22, 2006

Christopher Nolan does it again with his latest film, The Prestige. Taking place in turn-of-the-century London, it explores the personal lives and professional rivalry of two stage magicians. Employing the incredible writing skills of both Christopher and Jonathan Nolan, The Prestige has a story filled with twists that leaves the audience guessing until - quite literally - the very last frames of the film.

Starring Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman as Alfred Borden and Rupert Angier, respectively, these two young men develop a rivalry early on in their careers, each one constantly trying to outdo the other. Jackman's Angier is the sympathetic character - the victim of Borden's aggression, and the character whom the audience is made to sympathize with. Bale's Borden, on the other hand, is an inhumanly cold character whose desire to be the best overpowers him. When Borden's arrogance causes and accident on stage, it sends Angier on a journey of revenge, initially wanting to kill Borden, but eventually deciding it would be more fulfilling to constantly outdo his magical acts.

But as secrets are revealed, truths told and lies uncovered, which (if either) character is truly honorable in their endeavors? And could it be possible that one of them has achieved the impossible - real magic?

Much like Nolan's last effort, Batman Begins, The Prestige features a fantastic cast of supporting actors, including Michael Caine as Cutter, mentor to the two young magicians, David Bowie as Nikola Tesla, an eccentric scientist, and Scarlett Johansson as Olivia, a young woman trained as a magician's assistant. Each character brings about monumental truths about the two leads, and help to bring everything together in the revelatory climax.

The set designs, costumes and atmosphere are both strikingly authentic and eerily surreal. Creating a genuine sense of uneasiness throughout, the visuals truly suck the viewer into the film, making what occurs on screen much more believable. The music is subtle and effective, with Nolan reuniting with David Julyan, the composer who did the music for all of his films except Batman Begins.

Near the beginning of the film, one of the characters says that "the excitement is found in the mystery of a magic trick, and if the audience discovers the secret, it will seem so obvious and simple that they can't help but be disappointed." Many of the preliminary reviews for the film make it out to have a very disappointing ending, largely due to what is explained in this very quote. Therefore, it cannot be just coincidence - Christopher and Jonathan Nolan have proved themselves too talented writers to allow such build-up to something that would disappoint so many. It is the whole purpose of the film. Once you discover what has really occurred, you are almost left thinking "I wish it had ended before the explanation."

Many might say that that is definitely not a positive point, but arguably it is. The film itself is one giant magic trick, and it is incredible to see how it unfolds, and then to see how everything was truly done. The Prestige will surely be forgotten when it comes to Oscar time, simply because it is not the type of film that the Academy tends to honor. However, it is most definitely deserving, as it is one of the best films of the year, and surely to become a cult classic.

Abra cadabra.

8.5/10