Top 10’s – FAVORITE FILMS
#9 – The Prestige – Christopher Nolan, 2006
More than magic, revenge, science, or romantic intrigue, Christopher Nolan’s “The Prestige” is a film about duality. It is about the doubles, twins, copies, clones, role-players, brothers, rivals, and partners that lurk both externally in the world and internally within individuals’ souls and psyches. The film is about the two opposing sides of the coin and the obsessive wars raged between those opposing sides – both when the sides compete against one another on life’s multiple stages over career and fame, and when the sides compete most personally inside one’s self over regrets and decisions poorly made.
The narrative of “The Prestige” is nonlinear and provocative, pulling the audience along on the coiling journeys of the film’s two protagonists. Its secrets are revealed slowly, and its momentum builds at a measured pace. In concert with the film’s visuals, the story is hypnotic and completely engrossing. The cast here, the likes of which is a rarely witnessed, excitingly assembled and never-ending source of aligned-stars amazement, deftly carries the tale. Jackman, Bale, Caine, Serkis, Johansson, Bowie, and Hall are the ideal conduits for the story.
The results of all of this is breathtaking. Nolan’s film scores triumphantly across all technical and artistic levels, and “The Prestige” is as rewarding on the second, third, or tenth viewing as it is on its first. While some decry the film as offering cheap tricks and narrative illusions, it may be this segment of the audience that is simply not be watching closely.
Two passionate magicians, Robert Angier and Alfred Borden, are having massive success with their brilliant illusions. But when one of their magic shows goes horribly wrong, the two turn against each other, plotting and out witting the other person. It becomes an obsession, and consequences occur.
The Prestige is simply thrilling. Fast paced, mesmerizing, and doesn’t feel even a bit long- despite the over 2 hour run time- The Prestige has you hooked from the very first shot. The plot is so intricate, weaving together 3 different times in the two magician’s lives. This is at first overwhelming, but the picture grows clearer and clearer, but it doesn’t make things any less unpredictable.
The tone of the film is dark, and indeed, there isn’t a true protagonist. There are main characters- in the form of the two magicians- but they both seem morally incorrect. In a way, this might suggest that one doesn’t connect to either one in sympathies or emotion, and yet, one feels for both. Both seem in the wrong- and deciding which one is more at fault may simply come down to a “he started it” conclusion- but at the same time, they are both characters we sort of root for. We never really choose one fully over the other, as their is still an emotional anchor for each (but to keep spoilers out of this review, I won’t discuss this element further).
Everything about this film is so smart, and so well done. The characters are flawlessly developed, and the story is original, unique, and gripping. I’ve already said plenty about the twists of course, and the intricacies with the interwoven stories. I’m shocked and appalled that this film did not receive so much as a nomination from the Academy for editing, as it is so skilled and precise. I’m not the kind that pays attention to the editing, but in a film like this, it’s crucial- far more so than most action films.
The Prestige is personally everything I ever need from a film. It follows its own rules. Has a original story and most importantly it demands attention. The Prestige is a roller-coaster of a ride with intriguingly intertwined subplots and masterful time switching, which makes it one of a kind and an ultimate masterpiece. The uncanny feat of Christopher Nolan to manifest a motion picture, which forays the realms of Mystery, Thrill, Sci-fi and Fantasy, is truly exemplary and makes the movie a contemporary classic. The movie is a tapestry of twists and turns, which evinces its overwhelming potential to bewitch the masses and gratify even the most obscure viewers. The questions that it continually asks of the viewers can only be answered after repetitive viewings, with each viewing seeking utmost attention of the viewer. The only question that I would ask of the viewer is: “Are you watching closely? ”
Masterfully deceptive, and deviously assembled. The Prestige succeeds as a mystery, a drama, a thriller, and a mind-bender, while placing heavy focus on the characters themselves. Just one bit of advice- a caution if you will: Don’t over think it, just absorb it all. Pay attention, and you will be greatly rewarded.
*ddileo 