The Prestige – 2006
Posted by Scott on 15 Sep 2008 at 01:24 am | Tagged as: Overlooked Films
Every magic trick has three acts. The first act is called The Pledge: the magician shows you something ordinary. The second act is called The Turn: the something ordinary is turned into something extraordinary. The third and final act is The Prestige: you see something you’ve never seen before. One of the most amazing tricks I’ve ever seen is how quickly The Prestige disappeared from theaters. The best film of 2006 that nobody saw asks one very simple question: “Are you watching closely?” If you are, you may be able to unravel the many secrets of The Prestige.
Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman) and Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) are competing magicians in late 19th century London. Angier is a born showman, handsome and charismatic, filled with ambition. Borden is a dark, moody genius, fiercely dedicated to his craft. Both are bent on becoming the greatest illusionist of their time. Once partners, the two go their separate ways after the tragic death of Angier’s wife. Angier blames Borden. Borden refuses to accept responsibility. Rivalry soon turns to vengeance as each man embarks on destroying the other’s livelihood. Borden starts a family and consumes himself with inventing a trick the world has never seen. Angier’s jealousy mutates into obsession as he attempts to unlock the mystery behind Borden’s grand illusion.
While Borden’s fame and reputation grows in England, Angier travels to America to perfect his masterpiece. He settles in remote Colorado Springs where he pursues the brilliant physicist Nikola Tesla to help him create a machine that will define his career. Tesla’s groundbreaking electricity experiments reveal a scientific conundrum only a wizard could imagine. Tesla leaves his findings with Angier, warning him of the potential dangers of playing with the unknown. Hubris and compulsion guide Angier as he returns to London armed with the knowledge to quench his vengeful thirst and ruin Borden once and for all. The tables flipped, Borden must now discover Angier’s shocking secret. As Angier’s plot nears its fruition, the superior Borden unveils one final riddle that will prove him to be the master illusionist.
Writer/Director Christopher Nolan has garnered much acclaim for his miraculous resuscitation of the Batman franchise, but without question The Prestige is the most complete film of his young career. Adapting from Christopher Priest’s novel, Nolan and brother Jonathan craft a clever script that gradually builds to a stunning crescendo. Beautifully lit and shot by Oscar nominated DP Wally Pfister, the film assumes an appropriately mysterious air that defines its perplexing subject matter. Jackman and Bale are perfectly cast portraying men of similar ilk, driven by ambition and ego. Bale in particular stands out, deftly embodying the duplicitous Borden. The always-great Michael Caine provides terrific support playing Cutter, an aged insider who represents the story’s superego. The greatest trick is often the most obvious. We never see it because we never bother to look. Don’t be fooled, see The Prestige.
The trailer for The Prestige:
