Review of The Prestige (2006) by Kristina S — 01 Feb 2015

The Prestige (one of my all-time favorites by phenomenal director and storyteller Christopher Nolan) is an expertly configured tale of two feuding illusionists bringing the art of deception to an entirely new level.

Nolan expounds on the grungy, heavy mood of revenge and rivalry, perfectly encapsulating the fine line between genius and insanity. Performances by Hugh Jackman as Robert Angier and Christian Bale as Alfred Borden provide excellent counterpoint to one another; they display each character's personal agony in contrasting ways.

Every personality in the film serves a definite purpose, and the thicker the story gets, the more tangled and excruciating the magician's missions become. The battles between Angier and Borden become increasingly more dramatic and teeter on the precipice of impossibility.

Both men suffer loss on their quest to triumph over the other. The conclusion of the film is the prestige of the act, the part where it all comes together. And the movie's final shot of the room beneath Angier's stage-row upon row of evidence of Angier's obsession, ghastly illuminated by flame-provides a haunting reminder that when one loses sight of their true ambition, they will meet their certain downfall.

This film is a superb addition to anyone's viewing resume. I highly recommend The Prestige.