The Prestige

“Are you watching closely?” The Prestige opens with these words, and the viewer would be wise to pay them heed. Director Christopher Nolan, using much of the cast and crew of his previous film Batman Begins, reverts back to the jigsaw-puzzle narrative structure that made his first feature Memento such a success. And it’s a whopper of a puzzle! Unlike The Illusionist (that other 19th century magician film that was released earlier this year), which had a relatively straightforward romantic storyline, The Prestige is a film that actually exercises your brain cells. The plot centers on two magicians—Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman) and Alfred Borden (Christian Bale)—who start out as friendly rivals. This friendship is buried in the aftermath of a tragic accident, immediately turning the men against each other. Before long, they are immersed in a prolonged duel of which neither can see the end, and of which the consequences are terrible. The acting is superb all across the board. Jackman, playing the more obsessive magician, gives his best performance to date, and Bale is top-notch as always. Of course, it’s hard to say much more without ruining the plot, but I will point out that the lucky few who happen to solve the puzzle early on will enjoy the film a great deal more. If the ending takes you by surprise, then the overall film would undoubtedly be very confusing. Such a circumstance requires that you watch it a second time—only more closely—to be satisfied.

Directed by Christopher Nolan.
Written by Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan.
Starring Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Scarlett Johansson, Piper Perabo, David Bowie and Andy Serkis.

Rated PG-13 for violence and disturbing images. 135 min.

****½ so says The Fish