Reelrunner

The Prestige (2006) Movie Review

“Are you watching closely?”

Alfred Borden

The Prestige is my favourite movie of all time, so you can probably guess how exciting it is to finally review this!

The movie is centred on a rivalry between two magicians who are learning the ways of their craft and eventually go on to become masters. With the development of their careers, you’ll also get to see the increasing enmity between them. The protagonist of the movie is John Angier played by Hugh Jackman and the deuteragonist is Alfred Borden played by Christian Bale. Both actors in this movie are at the absolute top of their game. The acting is just fantastic. There is also good acting from Michael Caine and Scarlett Johansson who play supporting characters in the film. Oh also, David Bowie is Nichola Tesla and he plays the character surprisingly well!

The film has an outstanding story and is told brilliantly by Christopher Nolan who too, like the actors he is directing, is at the peak of his craft here. There is not a single dull moment as the story pulls you in and keeps you engaged right till the very end. The cinematography is very good and accompanies the storytelling very well. The score isn’t one I would listen to after viewing but it does a good job in highlighting the emotional and tense scenes encountered in the film (trust me, there are many!)

The main highlight of the film and what makes it so good, is definitely, it’s story! The way the plot grows and twists, you’ll never be able to tell where the film goes next. I will not be disclosing spoilers, as per my review policy, but one little piece of advice. Watch this film very closely, as the opening quote asks you. I count this film as the very best film by Christopher Nolan, as it excels in everything it sets out to do. It’s nothing less than a magic trick turned movie.

You want to be fooled. But you wouldn’t clap yet. Because making something disappear isn’t enough; you have to bring it back. That’s why every magic trick has a third act, the hardest part, the part we call “The Prestige”

John Cutter

The Prestige will probably end up being one of the greatest movies, if not the greatest, Nolan has ever directed and to me, it will remain as my favourite for a long time unless a worthy challenger dethrones it. Till then, this masterpiece stays at the top. On watching it, just like the audience in the magic tricks, you too will be left mystified.

10/10