“The Prestige”
“The Illusionist,” an ultimately unsatisfying fable of a Victorian Magician, only whet my appetite for “The Prestige.” The tales have similarities other than being 19th century magician films; both have tricky plots that reflect the world of magic, and both have an obsession with the truth behind a particular trick.
But in “The Prestige” there are two magicians and their obsession is with each other. And, unlike “The Illusionist,” and similar to writer-director Christopher Nolan’s breakout film “Memento” (Nolan co-wrote both films with his brother Jonathan) the film does not unfold linearly. “The Prestige” stars Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale. Hugh Jackman’s Robert Angier is the better showman, Bale’s Alfred Borden the better magician. There is a tragedy that occurs between them, that transforms them from colleagues and friends into more than bitter rivals, and there is a trick that Borden performs that builds the obsession, fueling the already thriving rivalry. And of course there are women involved; Bale has a wife, as does Jackman, and Scarlett Johansson will be a magician’s assistant to both of them. And then there is a wonderful supporting cast featuring a cameo from Ricky Jay, a key role from David Bowie as real life scientist inventor extraordinaire Nikola Tessla and another wonderful turn from Michael Caine as Cutter, a magician’s mechanic/behind the scenes assistant and manager sort who acts as sometimes narrator and as a steadying figure; he is the eyes of the audience.
“The Prestige” is a very good film, maybe even a great one. Whether or not the viewer finds it great will depend on how they react to the many many plot twists and revelations, some shocking, some only shocking in their simplicity. To talk too much about the plot is no fun, in fact, even setting up that a film has twists sometimes can create an odd level of expectation, but no matter, returning to the original statement “The Prestige” is a very good film. The acting, writing, editing, and cinematography are top notch. Nolan goes handheld and gritty often to re-create the era, with beautifully lit and un-obtrusive set pieces that are faithful to the feeling of the time. (“The Illusionist” also nicely shot held it’s era in a more austere feel, “The Prestige” explores the darkness of the period with a naturalistic look)
Without discussing the plot, I would have only two possible grievances with the film, one would be with a specific plot point that doesn’t quite sit well with me, and the other would be that perhaps we don’t get quite enough of each magician’s back story, or at least back story of the time when they were friends, before they were lifelong enemies. The first grievance is very real but cannot be discussed without giving away secrets, the second note is probably a bit picky.
Beyond the plot, what satisfies about “The Prestige” is its tone and it’s exploration of the world of the magician. Certain tricks are explained. Though perhaps this gives away a bit, nearly every trick performed in the film is ultimately unveiled (“perhaps” and “nearly” will leave the film itself with enough secrets). And, ultimately, the plot does satisfy. There are continual dualities between the film’s resolutions and in it’s exploration into the inner machinations of the magic trick and the art of show business. In fact, upon reflection, these observations, these casual events that make up the film’s tone, are really clues into the film’s revelations, thus making it a film worth more than one look, and that, in the end, means the film has done quite a job already!
Story: A
Dueling magicians, explores the secrets behind magic, keeping up a strenuous pace while jumping back and forth in time.
Acting: B+
Satisfying all around. I’m loving everything I am seeing from Michael Caine at this point.
Visuals: B+ Very good.
Originality/Innovation: B+
Great story, Magic is interesting and arresting, lots of twists.
Enjoyability Grade: A
Very good, though some may walk out angry and/or scratching their heads.
Overall Grade: A |
