“The Prestige" (Touchstone Pictures)
Works Its Magic On You
Christopher Nolan makes movie magic. He did it with “Memento,” “Insomnia” and “Batman Begins.” Now he really gets into actual magic with “The Prestige,” a tale of competing magicians. Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale play the two magicians and Scarlett Johansson is a possible love interest for both men.
As in “Memento,” “The Prestige” does not follow a linear pattern for telling its story. It moves from the present day of the tale to the past and then to the middle and all around and back again. What you learn quickly is that Rupert Angier (Jackman) and Alfred Borden (Bale) started off working together as assistants to a magician. Angier’s wife Julia (Piper Perabo) was also in the cast. A tragic accident occurred and the two men parted as bitter enemies.
Later they became fierce competitors with each man trying to find the ultimate trick or illusion to best the other. Borden also found love and married Sarah (Rebecca Hall) while Angier hired an assistant named Olivia (Johannson) with whom he also had a relationship.
A behind the scenes man named Cutter (Michael Caine) started out working with both men but eventually ended up in Angier’s employ. He was the word of caution when the tricks became too dangerous.
The movie requires intense concentration in order to keep up with the twists and turns of the plot. It is an intricate script but it is also a fascinating one. Plus there are a couple of mysteries that aren’t cleared up till the every end of the story. They provide the movie with the “huh” factor. You think about it and then you say “huh”
Jackman and Bale are at the top of their game as actors, each commanding attention every time he appears on screen. Bale is expected to be mesmerizing but Jackman matches him step for step, trick for trick. It’s Batman and Wolverine going eye to eye and toe to toe, and it is fascinating to watch.
Caine is also very good in his supporting role. He moves the plot along and acts as a cushion to the severity of the two lead characters. Johansson has surprisingly little to do in the film and is there only as eye candy. This is just what her character is required to do as the magician’s assistant.
The film is rated PG-13 for profanity and violence.
Christopher Nolan makes complicated movies, difficult to follow and totally satisfying at the end. It makes movie viewing a little complex, but the payoff is worth every effort you have to make. “The Prestige” is a thinking person’s film, and one you might want to see more than once.
I scored “The Prestige” a tricky 7 out of 10.
