"Are you watching closely?" -The Prestige (2006) Review

The Prestige Review

Director: Christopher Nolan

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Codestar30 Rating: 8.5/10

Set in London at the end of the 19th century, Magic is the craze in the world. Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman), his wife Julia (Piper Perabo) and Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) are all assistants to the Magician Milton (Ricky Jay) and are all good friends. During one performance where Julia is supposed to escape from being tied up in a tank full over water, but something goes terribly wrong and she drowns despite the efforts of the illusion engineer, Cutter (Michael Caine), to get her out when he realises something has gone wrong. Angier blames Borden for her death, because it was he who tied the knots bonding Julia, and a bitter rivalry develops between them as they both rise to stardom as Magicians, with each trying to out do the other and sabotage the others tricks. After this has been going on for several years, Borden, now known as 'The professor', devises what seems to be the perfect illusion. He walks through a door on 1 side of a room, and walks through a door on the other side of the room a second later, with no inter-joining passage between, and he doesn't use a double. Angier, now known as 'The great Danton', becomes obsessed with finding Borden's secret. 

When it was suggested to me that I watch this film, I was not keen. I thought that a film about Magicians could not possibly be exiting or particularly entertaining, but I could not have been more wrong.

Christopher Nolan is great at getting suspense in his movies, and 'The Prestige' is a fine example of that. This film has more suspense that you may able to handle. You will be kept guessing throughout. There's twists and turns and surprises and suspense by the truck load. Its so clever and the mystery is woven so finely and expertly into the story. The plot is brilliant. Also, the tension created between Borden and Angier is so well executed that you won't be able to stop watching. 

The acting is awesome! Even Christian Bale give an impressive performance in this movie. Hugh Jackman plays his part amazingly. Michael Caine does his bit superbly. David Bowie (Yes the pop star, he's in this) does some great acting, showing that despite some of his previous parts in films he can actually act. The emotion and drama conveyed by the actors in this film is simply incredible. 

I would strongly recommend this movie to anyone who likes serious dramatic films. This movie is so very good. Its great. You better be watching closely, because 'The Prestige' is simply Magic!