The Prestige (2006)

The Prestige: Creepy, Colorful, and Very, Very, Entertaining

One of our favorite movies in my home is "The Prestige". It is an incredible work of art. The movie stars Christian Bale, of "The Dark Knight" fame, Hugh Jackman, Michael Caine, Scarlett Johansson, and yes, David Bowie. I watched the movie, expecting to (ho-hum), watch and do other things, but soon became lost in the story.

Christopher Nolan did a wonderful job of creating a spooky, dark, ambiance for the story. It quickly draws you in, and keeps you hooked for the entire show.

David Bowie is a standout, of course, as Nickola Tesla- the inventor of the "Tesla Coil", or "Caged Lightening." He lends himself to the role, but is entirely believeable. We are fortunate enough to have a "Tesla Coil" in a local museum. It is amazing! Those of you who haven't seen one, it would really be worth you while to do so. Then you could watch "The Prestige", do research on Nickola Tesla, and watch "The Prestige" again.....Or at least- that's what I plan to do!

September 30, 2008

You'll Care About the Film in this Box

Nolan's Prestige, like many of his films, is a dark, somber exploration of human emotions, ambitions and failings. It features many of Nolan's artistic touches, including his trademark out-of-sequence narrative, so those of you who hate this format will be irritated by the progression of this film.

The Prestige chronicles the intense rivalry between two ambitious young magicians struggling to make it big in turn of the century London. Alfred Borden (Bale) and Robert Angier (Jackman) actually begin as colleauges, both working as magician's assistants on an act engineered by Cutter (Caine). A tragic accident during one of the performances transforms a mutual professional jealousy into a bitter and lifelong feud that will cost each man dearly.

Angier and Borden are the embodiment of two diametrically opposed philosophies and it is this collision of ideals that lies at the very heart of the film. Angier is more concerned with showmanship and accolades than with the magic itself, while for Borden the craft is what consumes him, audience be damned. The lengths each will go to in order to achieve their ideal, and simultaneously outshine the other, provides the key to the mystery that ties the whole story together. This film has not one, but two twists to its ending. You might guess the one halfway through, but the second is very cleverly concealed by Noland's deft direction.

The film competed against "The Illusionist", which had been released to critical acclaim a few months earlier. Among the two I prefer the The Prestige, which I find is deeper and handled more maturely. Many people disagree, preferring the lighter, more conspicuously 'magical' Illusionist. This is reflected in the ratings here on Amazon as well (The Illusionist averages half a star better).

The Prestige is certainly a darker, somewhat less straight-forward film, and while some might resent the sci-fi spin added in the last act, it provides the basis for the moral abyss into which Angier must fall. Both Angier and Borden are developed to a much greater extent than any character in The Illusionist; they simply feel more human. In fact, it is their very humanity, their frailties, that warp their passion into obsession, and finally into hatred and revenge.

Featuring Scarlett Johansson as the love interest and David Bowie in a great turn as Nikola Tesla. Highly recommended. September 24, 2008

The Prestige

Great movie, have watched many times over. Received it in a timely manner.

Thank you. September 24, 2008

Movie: 5/5 Picture Quality: 4/5 Sound Quality: 4.5/5 Extras: 3.25/5

Version: U.S.A / Region-A / BVHE-Touchstone
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
MPEG-4 AVC BD-50
Running time: 2:10:29
Movie size: 33,01 GB
Disc size: 37,69 GB
Average Video Bit Rate: 23.04 Mbps
LPCM 5.1 6.9Mbps 24-bit English
DD AC3 5.1 640Kbps English / Spanish / French

Subtitles: English SDH / Spanish / French

#The Director's Notebook: The Cinematic Sleight of Hand of Christopher Nolan
#Conjuring the Past
#The Visual Maze
#Metaphors of Deception
#Tesla: The Man Who Invented the Twentieth Century
#Resonances
#The Art of the Prestige September 24, 2008

Now You See It, Now You ... See It Again

There have been many movies devoted to the misdirection, sleight of hand crowd. Magic is a favorite theme of writers, actors, and film makers for the obvious reason that this craft so closely parallels their own, the spinning of illusion to make audiences forget for a moment what a dull, hard place the world can be by believing, however briefly, in something that is patently false. It is a very participatory act, the engagement of the audience in the implausible construct is essential - indeed; that is where the "magic" resides.

Almost without fail these movies make great sport of showing how performers fool their audiences, and one another; and their directors like to demonstrate that they too are magicians. All this can lead to layer upon layer of falsehood, deception, trickery, and even confusion. The Prestige is no exception. At times one wishes for a scorecard, and the plodding of the plot gets a bit murky in the middle. But there's enough intrigue to hold you for the big finish, and The Prestige keeps you guessing literally until the final seconds.

One look at the cast tells you that somebody spent some serious money to put together a quality film. Michael Caine, Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, and Scarlett Johansson lead the way - all are excellent although Bale struggles with his Cockney accent. London in the late 1800's is masterfully recreated, no small trick in its own right. But what fuels this wonderful film is rivalry and hate, a grudge between two former friends and colleagues that just keeps going and going until it is no longer mere antagonism but the very reason for living - for them both. For us, living over a century later, it may be hard to identify with two performers who would stop at nothing to claim the title of, "England's Greatest Magician". Seems like wanting to be Denmark's Greatest Mime. But magic is power, and a century ago, it was possible to hold an entire audience in the palm of your hand, if you had the right Prestige.

Worth watching more than once, just so you can try to figure out how they did it. September 7, 2008

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