Susan Granger’s review of “The Prestige’ (Touchstone Pictures)
Like “The Illusionist,” “The Prestige” is a turn-of-the-century tale about magicians. Only, this time, there are two instead of one.
In Victorian London, two competitors are determined to make their mark in magic. Charismatic, sophisticated Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman) is passionate devotee of the art and his showmanship is unsurpassed, while coldly calculating, deeply secretive Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) has inventive ideas and more technically astute. Originally, they worked together but when a tragic accident claims the life of Angier’s wife, they become bitter rivals. When Borden creates a dazzling illusion, “The Transported Man,” Angier is obsessed with duplicating it – and Borden wreaks vengeance. But then Angier reads about the groundbreaking work of a maverick American electrical genius, Nikola Tesla (David Bowie), and travels to Tesla’s laboratory in Colorado Springs, where he buys an amazing ‘trick’ which transforms his life.
Based on a novel by Christopher Priest, writer/director Christopher Nolan (“Memento,” “Batman Begins”) has created an opulent, multi-layered mystery structured as sumptuous cinematic magic. Hugh Jackman and Chrisian Bale deliver riveting, often unexpected portrayals, while Michael Caine, Scarlett Johansson and David Bowie add to the intrigue. Credit goes to real-life magicians Ricky Jay and Michael Webber, who served as consultants on the classic skills of prestidigitation and misdirection.
The title comes from the three acts necessary for any successful trick: 1) The Pledge, in which the magician shows something ordinary – which really isn’t ordinary at all; 2) The Turn, in which something extraordinary happens; and 3) The Prestige, which turns out to be a total surprise. That’s all the information I can give you – anything more would ruin the surprises for you. On the Granger Movie Gauge of 1 to 10, “The Prestige” is an unconventional, cleverly enigmatic 8. It’s intricate, intriguing entertainment.
