The Prestige

The Prestige takes us back to recreate a period in show business at the turn of the century in which the competition between magicians was intense and serious. Much of the film rings true as the lead characters go to the point of an all consuming obsession to outdo all others and to become the best. It's an easy step to accept that such unwavering determination spills over into deadly territory, as rival magicians suave Robert Angier and audacious Alfred Borden each seek to wreak continuing revenge upon the other.

The story, although adapted from a novel, really feels like the perfect fit for Nolan, as the machinations of the two men become increasingly convoluted and blinded by their egos as the back and forth matching of wits that will keep you guessing. As the game grows increasingly deadly, and threatens to consume all they love, the film becomes a fascinating study in single-mindedness. 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.

Jackman and Bale give amazingly strong performances that make the viewer feel the full emotions of the two magicians as they move done this path that almost makes you feel pity for each character. Hugh Jackman was excellent as the angry, obsessive magician trying to gain back his life by revenge. Christian Bale was equally impressive as the mystifying, secretive showman, never letting out his secrets until necessary. Michael Caine rocked in supporting everyone else's parts with his curiosity. For me the greatest surprise in this movie was that of the acting of Rebecca Hall as the wife of Borden, she ends up giving such a strong performance that really Scarlett Johansson's portrayal of Olivia ends up being very flat and almost forgettable. The oddest casting though was that of David Bowie as Tesla. I felt that the superstar status of Bowie really takes away from the part in many respects, but in the end I was really surprised at how great of a job Bowie did and that he really gave a great showing of the eccentricities in his portrayal of Tesla.

The writing on this film was superb. While it had its moments where the dialogue was cheesy, especially during a lot of Johansson's lines, for the most part Bale and Jackman are amazing with their delivery of lines, and really play so well off one another. I think though for such a great movie that does such a great job at being amazingly suspenseful, it has one line that is going to be so memorable that for me nothing brings such great chills as the simple phrase "Are you watching closely."

This movie is a solid on the edge of your seat thriller that will entertain all movie viewers no matter what types of genres they prefer. For solid performance and great direction by Nolan I am giving this movie three and a half buckets of popcorn out of five. This is definitely a movie that the serious movie watchers need to have.

-The Movie Man-