The Prestige

Are You Watching Closely?

In the end of the Nineteenth Century, in London, Robert Angier, his beloved wife Julia McCullough and Alfred Borden are friends and assistants of a magician. When Julia accidentally dies during a performance, Robert blames Alfred for her death and they become enemies. Both become famous and rival magicians, sabotaging the performance of the other on the stage. When Alfred performs a successful trick, Robert becomes obsessed trying to disclose the secret of his competitor with tragic consequences.

-Summery by imdb.com

There were two turn of century magician story’s released this year and in my opinion ‘The Prestige’ didn't quite measure up to ‘The Illusionist’. If ‘The Illusionist’ had had the same marketing and the same amount of hype surrounding it that ‘The Prestige’ had, it would have sold much more, but unfortunately it came and went while the Prestige was the one that captured the audience’s attention.

It almost seems as though Christopher Nolan (the amazing director of ‘Memento’ and ‘Batman Begins’) didn't know what type of movie he wanted to make. It looks like a mystery movie but there are signs of the supernatural here and there. We don’t know whether we should be thinking logically or fictionally, should we think the magic is real or does it have an explanation?

The other weird thing is that there is no twist visible in this movie! The ending is extremely predictable from the first 10 minutes of the movie, I almost felt tricked when it reached the end, I kept expecting something more, some sort of a logical explanation but it doesn't give any. Although I must say even though it is predictable, the ending is filmed very well, and it is quite exciting!

Some might say that this movie is about love and sacrifice. First of all, the romantic part of the story lacks in depth and meaning, it’s almost emotionless and inhumane. Second, what exactly did Hugh Jackman’s character sacrifice, that was always a question during the movie, he didn't sacrifice his wife, she just died!

Aside from the loose points in the story, ‘The Prestige’ does have a few very good points in it. One is the excellent acting by Christian Bale, who captures every scene he is in perfectly, and according to a fan manages to bury Hugh Jackman who also gives a great performance but is easily over shadowed. Scarlett Johansen on the other hand, gives a pretty bad performance; she just doesn't seem like the same great actress who played in ‘Girl, with a pearl ear-ring’.

The clothing designs and the set decorations are amazing; the few magic tricks that are offered logical explanations are interesting to see. And the filming and directing is great.

Even though I made it sound like I hated the movie, I really didn't and I do recommend it to all, maybe I just didn't like it as much as I should have cause Id just seen ‘The Illusionist’ before it, but everyone should see the movie, it doesn't have much of a twist and it doesn't fall under one Genre but it does please and entertain. It’s not as good as Nolan’s other movies but its still watchable! 6.5/10