The Prestige Review

Christopher Nolan's next film Interstellar will be released in less than a week now. I've been going back and reviewing every movie in his filmography, as he is my favorite director working today and has made more of my favorite films than anyone else. I've made it up to The Prestige, a movie that I think is not only one of the most underrated films of all-time, but also right on par with Nolan's finest works.

The Prestige is about two stage magicians in the late 19th century who start to develop a rivalry. As the movie progresses, they really start to hate one another for various things that happen. Ultimately, what started out as a friendship and a professional partnership becomes a deadly game of competition and deceit. As I previously said, I think this movie is extremely underrated. Definitely Nolan's most undervalued work, and one of my favorite films of all-time.

Like all of Nolan's projects, The Prestige boasts a top-notch cast. Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale star as the two magicians that I talked about earlier (Robert Angier and Alfred Borden respectively), and they do a fabulous job. As I mentioned in my review for Batman Begins, Bale is one of my favorite actors. His performance in this movie is one of the best of his career. Jackman's performance may very well be the best I've ever seen from him. Both of these actors just give so much depth to their characters. They're layered, complicated, and not always what they appear to be, and Bale and Jackman are great.

The supporting cast is also impressive, and do wonderful jobs as well. Michael Caine plays Cutter, an ingénieur to Angier and also somewhat of a mentor to him. He's awesome, which is to be expected. Scarlett Johansson and Rebecca Hall portray the two main female characters, and both do excellent work. Even David Bowie, who plays Nikola Tesla, gives a really good performance. No complaints on the acting front.

If there's one thing that can be said about Christopher Nolan, it's that he loves to play around with the structure of the narrative he's telling. Most of the time, he'll choose to shake it up a bit, and he's famous for his nonlinear storytelling. Memento was proof that he could not only pull it off, but actually excel at it. The Prestige is further proof of this. It doesn't play backwards or anything, but the scenes are out of order.

When I say they're out of order, that's not to say Nolan just placed all his scenes in a random sequence. Not at all. The way he reveals certain things at certain times help to enhance the viewing experience. Additionally, it's a challenge - a fun challenge - to have to piece everything together, much like with Memento. I remember the first time I watched The Prestige I didn't really understand it all. I decided to watch it again a day or so later, and it all began to make sense in my head. After a few more viewings, I could see that everything is there. Nolan has not left out any piece to the puzzle. When I rewatch it now, I still catch little things that provide more proof of the film's completeness.

And one might argue that this storytelling tactic is distracting. I'd strongly contest that argument. In my opinion, Nolan's way of telling the story helps to engross you in it. You have to pay attention to understand it all, and when you pay close attention, you feel much more engaged in the experience. Nolan is a master at doing this to his audience.

In addition to its face value topic of magicians and their rivalry, The Prestige is also an intricate character study. It explores the nature of an obsession, and how it drives people to do really terrible things. The self-destructive fixations that the characters in this film develop are nothing short of fascinating to observe.

One thing about The Prestige that's different than Nolan's previous attempts at nonlinear narratives is the element of trickery he employs. Much like the characters in the film, the director has put up facades. He utilizes a sense of deceit and ultimately tries to trick his audience. In many ways, his characters are a parallel to him. Every time Borden asks "Are you watching closely?" I feel as if Nolan is also asking the viewers that.

One might think that this isn't something a director should do, try to trick their audience. However, Nolan does it and it works to perfection. His way of covering up the ordinary in what seems to be extraordinary is uncanny, and that all culminates in a stupefying finale. At least, stupefying the first couple times you watch it. Even after you understand it it's still magnificent, and one of the greatest twists I've ever seen.

Part of the reason it's so great is because it's so simple, yet Nolan makes it seem as if it isn't. He has effectively tricked us. And not in a disappointing way. After you realize it, you give him all the more credit for his accomplishment. The film is too well-made, and Nolan's misdirection is too skillful.

The Prestige is definitely one of my favorite movies, and I wish it got more credit. It is, in my opinion, just as good as Nolan's other works. It's a dazzling dramatic thriller that sizzles in suspense, intrigue, and deceit. It's beguiling, drawing its audience in with spectacular tricks and mind-boggling twists before pulling the rug right out from under them with a superb conclusion. It's fantastically acted and wonderfully written, and if you haven't seen it yet, that's something you need to do.

Are you watching closely?

A+