NoFace for Film

Title: The Prestige
The Prestige.jpg
Year: 2006
Director: Christopher Nolan
Starring Cast: Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Michael Caine, Scarlett Johansson
Rated: PG-13

NoFace for Film: 6.5 out of 7

A few months ago I was watching the trailers for some movie when the trailer for The Prestige came on. After seeing the very, very HOT Christian Bale and the yummy Hugh Jackman together in a movie I wiped off the drool from my mouth and said, “I MUST see this.” So yes, admittedly I watched this for the sheer eye candy factor. But I now feel that upon leaving the theater, I got way more than that.

Based on a novel by Christopher Priest and set in the late 19th century, The Prestige is basically a tale of obsession. Alfred Borden (Bale) and Robert Angiers (Jackman) are young men who start off their careers as a magician’s confederates (the plants in the audience). When a tragic accident occurs during a performance, Alfred and Robert go their separate ways, each trying to make it on his own as a full-fledged magician.

While Robert and Alfred excel at and are passionate of their craft, each has his strength and weakness. Alfred is the more talented magician but lacks stage presence and flair. On the other hand, Robert is more charming on-stage and knows the importance of distracting the audience with props and pretty assistants. It’s a shame then, that rather than working together to complement each other’s strengths, Alfred and Robert spend their careers trying to beat, even destroy, each other. At first the men are just bitter rivals, constantly outdoing each other or sabotaging the other’s work. However, life-long rivalry rapidly escalates into a war that shows no sign of victory on either side, only the sad decline of each man into his own dark obsession.

The name of the movie’s title refers to the third act of any magic trick. As Cutter, Alfred and Robert’s former boss (Caine, who has perfected these fatherly/mentor roles over the years), describes it in a voiceover early in the film:

Every great magic trick consists of three acts. The first act is called “The Pledge“; The magician shows you something ordinary, but of course… it probably isn’t. The second act is called “The Turn“. The magician makes his ordinary something do something extraordinary. Now, if you’re looking for the secret… you won’t find it, that’s why there’s a third act called, “The Prestige“. This is the part with the twists and turns, where lives hang in the balance, and you see something shocking you’ve never seen before.

Being that The Prestige is about magicians and its tagline being, “Are you watching closely?” it’s not surprising that there are several twists and turns not unlike The Usual Suspects, with clues sprinkled liberally throughout the film. Indeed, even the temporal setup of the story structure is meant to confuse the audience, for it’s basically told from Alfred’s perspective, as he reads Robert’s diary, who in turn spends much of his time deciphering Alfred’s diary- a flashback within a flashback. However, because the Nolan brothers (who wrote the screenplay) did such a great job in the storyline and character development, it doesn’t feel like you’re hunting for the twists the whole time, a la an M.Night Shyamalan film. The focus is on Robert and Alfred’s obsession with revenge, with their work, and with being the best. Granted, I had figured out much of the twists early on, but at the same time I was thinking more about the characters and story, rather than “solving the mystery”. You’re riveted as you watch these young men risk everything, including the ones they love, to fuel their revenge and obsession.

As for the actors, I think that Bale did a spectacular job as Alfred. Although he’s become more well-known over the years from his performances in American Psycho and Batman Begins, Bale is still relatively underrated. I’m just glad that people are finally taking notice of him. Oh, and did I mention that he’s HOT? Rawr. Jackman, who is normally known for more action-adventure films (i.e., the X-Men films) was refreshing in his more dramatic, dark role of Robert. We’re used to Bale being able to play dark and complex characters (American Psycho, The Machinist, Batman Begins), but Jackman as someone other than Wolverine is nice to watch.

One of the weak points in The Prestige, like many films with mostly male leads, are the female supporting characters- the wife and the girlfriend. These roles are meant to add depth to the male leads but are themselves often rather two-dimensional. Johansson plays Olivia, an assistant who becomes involved with the men. Her role is so small that one is left to wonder why they got a big-name actress to play her when they could have gotten an unknown actress. Rebecca Hall plays Sarah, Alfred’s wife, tormented by the fact that his first love is not her, but his work. Although Sarah is more important than Olivia, again she is mainly used to further develop the character of Alfred.

Another weak point of The Prestige has to do with a very important part of the plot. Basically, when you realize what’s really happening, it feels a little disappointing because the whole time you’re led through these twists, turns, and deceits and you learn to be skeptical of what Alfred and Robert. However, when you realize that the most important part of the plot is basically a deus ex machina, it’s somewhat of a letdown- but it’s not really the film’s fault since this is how it was in the book. Overall though, I still loved the movie, as you can see from my very high rating. The actors are great, the directing was terrific, and the story is riveting.

If you want to see Batman vs. Wolverine in the late 19th century, check out The Prestige. Ladies, don’t forget your drool bibs.

The Pledge, The Turn, The Prestige, magician, magic, Christopher Priest, Christopher Nolan, Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Michael Caine, Scarlett Johansson