The Prestige
Screenplay written by: Jonathon Nolan and Christopher Nolan
Actors: Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Piper
Perabo, Rebecca Hall, Scarlett Johansson, David Bowie, Andy Serkis
Directed by: Christopher Nolan (also directed Momento) and Jonathan
Nolan
Rated: PG-13 (Violence and disturbing images)
The Prestige
Screenplay written by: Jonathon Nolan and Christopher Nolan
Actors: Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Piper Perabo, Rebecca Hall, Scarlett Johansson, David Bowie, Andy Serkis Directed by: Christopher Nolan (also directed Momento) and Jonathan Nolan
Rated: PG-13 (Violence and disturbing images)
The competition between two Victorian Age magicians to create the most astounding illusion to capture London audiences was as serious to Rupert Angier (Hugh Jackman) and Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) as protecting their treasured secrets. The Prestige is a view into the lives of these magicians while educating the unschooled in the art of prestidigitation. Once performing partners, Angier goes it alone after blaming Borden for the on-stage accident with his wife. Depressed with an increasing obsession for dangerous magic, Angier seeks out the wisdom of a veteran magician (Michael Caine) to mentor him with the help of a beautiful assistant (Scarlett Johansson). By manipulating reality and illusion, each man constantly escalates their attempts to create the grandest trick and vindictively expose the secrets of the other. In that spirit of one-upmanship, Borden is drawn to the latest “wizardry” from the famous inventor, Nikola Tesla (David Bowie), commissioning him to build a unique prop that taunts Angier with its deadly magic. With Angier planting a spy (Johansson) to find out Borden’s trick’s secret, the manipulation of each man’s strengths and vulnerabilities by the other creates a mind-boggling interweave of deception.
He Said: Enjoying the twists and turns in “The Prestige,” I second-guessed the directions the plot would take. The script introduced elements that continually enriched the intrigue. But the story’s twists were so interesting that both Hugh Jackman’s and Christian Bale’s performances played second fiddle to the script’s demands. I also need to add that the introduction of Tesla, played by rock icon David Bowie, was a casting choice impossible to ignore. While I like a script that challenges your logical mind, Bowie’s presence in his role, no matter how well acted, distracted from the film’s flow for me. Still, you’ll enjoy the magicians’ rivalry and what it produces.
On the R&R Scale (1-10):
9 for Script Intellectually stimulating and gratifying.
8 for Direction: Successful switches with “magic” that lasted.
8 for Acting: Everyone good.
8 for Plot: Compelling and intriguing.
8 for Entertainment Value: For period drama/thriller.
8.2 Overall
She Said: Noting that the American Heritage Dictionary defines allusion as “An indirect reference” and illusion as “An erroneous perception of reality” – both were key in experiencing “The Prestige.” The movie audience’s own mind ended up being as important an element in the successful “prestige” as any other element. Aware that you are being lead by the clever sleight of hand that the writers and directors are engineering will have you either shaking your head in confusion or smiling at the successful illusion created by allusion. I personally enjoyed this thriller overall, broaching “Sci-fi” was confounding and affected my satisfaction in the film. Though fascinated with the flashback structure of the story, the Sci-fi factor forced me to jump to a conclusion I was not that prepared for. You, however, may find it more cleverly intriguing than I did in the end.
On the R&R Scale (1-10)
7 for Script: Clever slight-of-hand.
7 for Direction: Good period authenticity, allusion and illusion.
7 for Acting: Convincing and believable by all.
8 for Plot: Interestingly complicated.
8 for Entertainment Value: for a drama thriller.
7.4 overall
