This quote...said at the beginning of the film explains not only the breakdown of a magic trick, but also the film as a whole: we are shown two ordinary men who seem to be friends. We watch them age and change and become well-known magicians, and we watch them slowly deteriorate due to their feud. And just when we think things are evening out, the stakes are raised and a new set of problems are introduced.
Robert Angier (Jackman) is a rich man: his family is wealthy, he has a steady career (aiding a magician) and a lovely wife. At his side is Alfred Borden (Bale): an innovative, streetwise man with big dreams and a secret to hide. Together they serve as plants in the audience, chosen by Angier's wife Julia (Piper Perabo) for a dangerous trick: they bind her hands and feet and she is dropped into a tank of water. Offstage the engineer Cutter (Caine) stands with an ax and a timer just in case things don't work. Angier is content and happy, but Borden wishes their magician would try a new trick: something more challenging. Julia dies doing the trick (she was unable to get her hands free and Cutter did not break the glass in enough time) and Angier blames Borden. The two men part on bad terms. Borden begins his own magic act which is sabotaged by Angier and the two men begin a life-long feud: learning each others tricks and then creating problems during the tricks. Caught in the middle is Borden's family: his wife Sarah (Rebecca Hall) and daughter Jess (Samantha Mahurin), and Angier's (and later Borden's) assistant/mistress Olivia Wenscombe (Scarlett Johansson). Also involved is scientist Nikola Tesla (apparently he was a real person...played by David Bowie) and his magic-loving assistant Alley (Andy Serkis) who become involved in Angier's illusion.
Like his film Memento Director Christopher Nolan tells the story out of sequential order, causing the audience to learn things before or after an action occurs in real time and forces the viewer to be involved in the story. Also, at the end of the film, while the storyline is wrapped up and there is a feeling of closure, you still have questions (none of which I can present here). Including this one, I have seen 3 films directed by Nolan and I must say that I am impressed: Memento (it makes you think...but I've only seen it once, and that is plenty for me!!), Batman Begins (totally revamping the Batman legend is worth the kudos, but the film also boasts an impressive cast) and now the Prestige....wow!
Is this film really a prestige: something we've never seen before, or is it just portrayed in a new light? Honestly I think thats up to you!
Dude, it's quotable: ok, so they aren't hysterical quotes but the characters make interesting points about themselves, their professions and just life in general: "Man's reach exceeds his imagination!"
Rent it multiple times: After reading countless reviews of the film (and having a bit of background knowledge about the novel it is based on) I knew what was going to happen...so at each turn in the plot I was able to follow and appreciate the clues the filmmakers added, but my friends did not know anything about the film (other than seeing previews on television) and although in the end they did get it, they spent a good bit of time trying to understand what was going on....therefore I would suggest seeing this film a few times to fully appreciate/understand the nuances of the script (and the fact that Christian Bale is in the film just makes those multiple viewings more enjoyable...::wink, wink::)
Robert Angier (Jackman) is a rich man: his family is wealthy, he has a steady career (aiding a magician) and a lovely wife. At his side is Alfred Borden (Bale): an innovative, streetwise man with big dreams and a secret to hide. Together they serve as plants in the audience, chosen by Angier's wife Julia (Piper Perabo) for a dangerous trick: they bind her hands and feet and she is dropped into a tank of water. Offstage the engineer Cutter (Caine) stands with an ax and a timer just in case things don't work. Angier is content and happy, but Borden wishes their magician would try a new trick: something more challenging. Julia dies doing the trick (she was unable to get her hands free and Cutter did not break the glass in enough time) and Angier blames Borden. The two men part on bad terms. Borden begins his own magic act which is sabotaged by Angier and the two men begin a life-long feud: learning each others tricks and then creating problems during the tricks. Caught in the middle is Borden's family: his wife Sarah (Rebecca Hall) and daughter Jess (Samantha Mahurin), and Angier's (and later Borden's) assistant/mistress Olivia Wenscombe (Scarlett Johansson). Also involved is scientist Nikola Tesla (apparently he was a real person...played by David Bowie) and his magic-loving assistant Alley (Andy Serkis) who become involved in Angier's illusion.
Like his film Memento Director Christopher Nolan tells the story out of sequential order, causing the audience to learn things before or after an action occurs in real time and forces the viewer to be involved in the story. Also, at the end of the film, while the storyline is wrapped up and there is a feeling of closure, you still have questions (none of which I can present here). Including this one, I have seen 3 films directed by Nolan and I must say that I am impressed: Memento (it makes you think...but I've only seen it once, and that is plenty for me!!), Batman Begins (totally revamping the Batman legend is worth the kudos, but the film also boasts an impressive cast) and now the Prestige....wow!
Is this film really a prestige: something we've never seen before, or is it just portrayed in a new light? Honestly I think thats up to you!
Dude, it's quotable: ok, so they aren't hysterical quotes but the characters make interesting points about themselves, their professions and just life in general: "Man's reach exceeds his imagination!"
Rent it multiple times: After reading countless reviews of the film (and having a bit of background knowledge about the novel it is based on) I knew what was going to happen...so at each turn in the plot I was able to follow and appreciate the clues the filmmakers added, but my friends did not know anything about the film (other than seeing previews on television) and although in the end they did get it, they spent a good bit of time trying to understand what was going on....therefore I would suggest seeing this film a few times to fully appreciate/understand the nuances of the script (and the fact that Christian Bale is in the film just makes those multiple viewings more enjoyable...::wink, wink::)
Rating: PG-13 for violence and disturbing images
Director: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Christian Bale as Alfred Borden
Hugh Jackman as Robert Angier
Michael Caine as Cutter
Reasonable
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