Christopher Nolan is certainly one of the most interesting, cerebral and clever filmmakers in America today. Before "Inception" and between the second and third "Dark Knight" films, Nolan created this smart and intense film, THE PRESTIGE.
Hugh Jackman stars as late 1900's magician Robert Angier, at the top of his game in entertaining audiences of the day. One of his greatest competitors is Alfred Borden, played by Nolan fave Christian Bale. These two men start the film as close friends but a tragedy divides them into bitter rivals.
Jackman and Bale tear up the screen with strong, dueling performances as two men committed to upping the other at all costs.
These are two men obsessed with being better than the other and creating the ultimate on stage illusion, with even stronger emotional motivations for their actions simmering just beneath the surface.
When Robert begins working with Nikola Tesla (the great David Bowie) on using electrical currents to perfect "The Transported Man" trick, the new technology takes him places he never expected.
This is such a clever, intricate, perfectly written mystery that it took me two viewings and a great post film discussion with Tamara to really figure out all the pieces of the story. When those pieces fall into place, you realize just how brilliant Nolan is.
Scarlett Johansson is very good as a woman torn between the magicians in more ways than one, Bowie is powerful in his small role and Michael Caine provides his usual fine Nolan role as Cutter, our narrator and guide through the story.
The final "prestige" is so immaculately constructed, hinted at and referenced that you never see it coming and just as with Inception, the final image will turn everything you've just seen on it's head.
Only with repeat viewings can you grasp just how intelligently the entire mouse trap is built.
With a great cast, superb writing and a ton of fun as you try to unravel it, THE PRESTIGE has some amazing tricks up its sleeve and gets an A+. It holds another Nolan spot in my all-time Top 100.
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