The Prestige
****

“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…”

Rupert Angier (Hugh Jackman) and Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) are rival magicians in London at the turn of the century. Both become obsessed with the others secret behind their version of the same trick The Travelling Man. As their respective acts of sabotage become more deadly this obsession and feud threatens to have horrible consequences for both men and the people around them.

“The second act is called ‘The Turn’. The magician makes this ordinary something do something extraordinary. Now you’re looking for the secret. But you won’t find it…”

This film may have been described as being about magic, but actually magic has very little to do will it as director Christopher Nolan instead tells the story of two men consumed by the need to succeed, and triumph over the competition.

Adapted from Christopher Priest’s 1970 novel this material, a dark twisted tale is right up Nolan’s street, the back and forth twists of wit and steely determination that keep you guessing is very reminiscent of Nolan’s ‘Memento’.

This period piece paints a beautiful portrait of showbusiness and the cut throat world of magic in England at the turn of the century.

But a major part of this films success is its flawless casting and as any self respecting fan boy will notice it’s Batman V’s Wolverine. But the two leading men have for now at least parted company with their leather costumes from the Marvel Comic movies to assume the roles of warring magicians Angier and Borden. They beautifully portray these two tortured souls so in search of success that it costs them everything. The scenes in which Jackman and Bale come face to face are the most electric of the whole film especially at the end.

Michael Caine also puts in an excellent performance as Cutter a designer of props used in magic tricks.

The actors are aided by Nolan’s excellent story telling ability, he doesn’t shy away from a complex plot; in fact he’s famed for it.

He has created a twisting, tense thriller as scene by scene Nolan hooks you and then reels you in. And the end really will blow you away.

After the mindless drivel that has been pumped through cinema this year The Prestige is a welcome relief, a clever and exciting picture that will keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat until the closing credits.

As Cutter says: “That’s why there is a third act called ‘The Prestige’. This is the part with the twists and the turns. Where lives hang in the balance. And you see something shocking that you’ve never seen before.”

by Helen Earnshaw