Today’s quick review: The Prestige. When Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman) dies performing his signature magic trick, the blame falls on Alfred Borden (Christian Bale), a rival magician who was present at Angier’s death. In his jail cell, Borden receives Angier’s diary and recounts the steps leading up to his death, from their first meeting years before to the bitter feud that followed. At the center of their fight is The Transported Man, a perfect trick developed by Borden and replicated, after years of toil, by Angier.
The Prestige is an excellent mystery, an intricate web of tragedy and deceit that keeps its greatest revelations for the very end. Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale are joined by Michael Caine, Scarlett Johansson, David Bowie, and director Christopher Nolan, a line-up that delivers powerful drama in the middle of a complex mystery. The delivery of information is expertly controlled: each part of the movie reveals another piece of the puzzle of what led to the death while saving the largest pieces for last.
The Prestige is a thematically rich movie that rewards careful viewing and good guesswork. Any fans of Christopher Nolan, Hugh Jackman, or Christian Bale shouldn’t miss it, nor should anyone who enjoys a good puzzle. Those who dislike even well-executed mystery and drama may want to steer clear, but in gneeral The Prestige is an excellent choice.
8.5 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it the same for excellent execution of an interesting concept.