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The Prestige
Directed by: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Hugh Jackman
Genre:
Fantasy/ Thriller-Horror
Run Time: 128
min.
Release Date:
October 2006
On The Web:
Official
Site
Teaser:
Movie Trailer
Reviewed by
Byron Merritt |
If one had to pare down
THE PRESTIGE to two words, they would undoubtedly be “dark” and
“twisted.” Coming from director Christopher Nolan, who gave us the
BATMAN BEGINS gem, this shouldn’t surprise anyone. Nolan is also
responsible for the successful somewhat underground-ish film, MEMENTO,
another flick that fits perfectly within those two pared-down words.
Similar in style to THE ILLUSIONIST, but with much more
substance, The Prestige has a unique flow and some surprisingly good
acting from previously unknown places.
Like Memento, the story jumps around time-wise, going from
present tense, to past, then even further past before heading back to
present tense (excuse the use of literary style rather than film, as
this seems to also apply here), director Nolan has given us a study in
revenge based on the lives of two fictitious magicians in the late
1800s. They are Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman,
THE FOUNTAIN),
and Alfred Borden (Christian Bale, BATMAN BEGINS). Initially friends
who’s relationship is shattered by the death of Robert’s wife after a
terrible on-stage accident, the two become mortal enemies in a
one-upmanship that leads to bad ends for both men.
The two opponents are willing to do whatever it takes in order to be the
best magicians in the world. This often entails “getting one’s hands
dirty.” Severing body parts, breaking one another’s bones, and using
anything and anyone to further their goals is a necessary evil.
Double, triple, and quadruple-crosses await the viewer in this stark but
beautifully filmed movie. The sets are awe-inspiring (in their own dark
way) and each shot given plenty of thought with regards to shadow and
contrasts.
The big winners for the film, though, are the script and a surprisingly
excellent performance by David Bowie as the genius (and real life)
inventor Nikola Tesla. Melding fiction with nonfiction was a nice touch
and added to the overall concept of the film.
Many may be able to figure out “the big secret” long before it’s
revealed (this reviewer was able to deduce it rather easily), but this
won’t take away from the enjoyment of the film going experience. The
great acting, moody sets, and applaudable screenplay will keep most
viewers enthralled regardless.
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Image from The Prestige
DVD cost: $25.99
Purchase:
BestPrices.com
Film Review Stew
Favorite? No.
Stew Poo-Poo? No.
Newsworthy: Sam Mendes
had shown interest in adapting Christopher Priest's novel for the
big-screen, but Priest insisted that Christopher Nolan direct it based
on Mendes' love for both THE FOLLOWING (1998) and MEMENTO (2000).
Movie Quote: "The
Prestige. It's the part with the twists and turns where lives hang in
the balance."
Other Actors/Actresses
from The Prestige
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