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The Prestige (2006)
Christopher Nolan’s brilliant MAGIC act.
Starring: Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Michael Caine.
Written and Directed by: Christopher Nolan.
“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. The second act is called “The Turn”; The magician makes his ordinary some thing do something extraordinary. Now if you’re looking for the secret… you won’t find it, that’s why there’s a third act called, “The Prestige”; this is the part with the twists and turns, where lives hang in the balance, and you see something shocking you’ve never seen before.” - Christopher Nolan.
The above quote is yet another example of a case of delicate and extraordinary screen writing. Guess what, this movie stands to its expectations raised in first few minutes. This is not just about magic but the life behind the acts. As Cutter (Michael Caine) narrates above quotes we see a magician performing on stage. A strange thing happens during his act (which of course I am not going to spoil) which takes you right to the core of what this story is all about. That opening scene creates a lot of questions. But interesting as it has been it makes you create your own theories. Its for you to find out what happens next.
This is a story about Robert Angier(Hugh Jackman)and Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) who are working as assistants for a magician Michael Caine. Every single act they watch of their own master and other magicians, they become curious about the acts and try and break those in their heads. As the story continues the situations arise when they rival against each other. That turns into a quest. A quest for the creation of the greatest magic act ever. All you have to do is just sit back and enjoy this unbelievable ride into the world of MAGIC.
First accolade for the movie goes to Christopher Nolan, who was my immediate favorite the day I watched “Following”. He has an uncanny ability to present. He is a master story-teller. The movie has a lot of pace. Though I saw the twist an hour earlier but it rather made me look for an explanation and Nolan has one that fits right in. He gives yet another fantastic screenplay after Memento and Batman Begins. Non-linearly written, based on Jonathan Nolan’s short story, this saga glues you to your seat.
The performances were fine. Especially Christian Bale. His acting gives this project a real life. This movie shows us his talent beyond the action scenes of Bruce Wayne’ other half. Hugh Jackman wasn’t far behind him. He delivers his performance with much intensity as well. Their rivalry keeps you guessing and thinking all the time. Next up is Michael Caine. He fits quite admirably in the character of Cutter. Singing legend David Bowie is memorable in his short performance as Tesla. Scarlett Johansson looks stunning as usual.
This movie is dark, tricky, illusionary, intense and of course has a unique explanation to magic tricks. Applause to Mr Nolan.
My Rating: 10/10
19 Responses to “The Prestige (2006)”
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The movie should be taught to those wanting to know.. the meaning of a gripping screenplay and the word script.
aah… madame, u still visiting? Good good
beautiful movie..class apart..
amazing movie.. lukin forward to a hindi version…:)
Well to be honest, i have watched this movie more than 10 times atleast. And i never ever tire or get weaned out of this movie. I havent seen a better screenplay, star cast and a good story like this. Christian bale is at his best. I would rate this movie as Christopher nolan’s best. (”Batman”, “Memento”)
I would rate this movie as the best of Christopher Nolan’s works….
The climax itself is so stunning that all the pieces of the puzzle that we are trying to comprehend right from the start falling in together….
A BRILLIANT movie!!!!! Nd Nolan in one word is a GENIUS!!!!
Guys if you liked this movie..
You’ll surely like “The Illusionist”….which again is a magician based movie.
Really goood.
Illusionist was a BAAD movie …
no comparison with Prestige !!!
I’m with George…
Illusionist is a boring film.
It looked really bad….
@ravptor
was that for me?
If yes…
Ofcourse, I am. Why ever would you doubt that? ;)
@adr… its not normal for PFC ites… that’s that.
Anyways, when are u writing? here? I view…
i really think this movie is so over-rated. I have not yet met 2 people who got the same meaning from the twist in the ending. Everyone seems to have got something else which clearly indicates either a script with loopholes or bad direction and editing.
Great movie. But not based on jonathan nolan’s story. the original novel was ‘the prestige’ written by christopher priest - adapted to the screen by the
Nolan brothers.
@kunal - there’s no ‘twist’, he just reveals one piece of the puzzle.
call it coincidence or watever, i just watched the movie twice this weekend in the HBO
I thought it was extremely terrible. extremely convinient. the transition from a suspense thriller to sci fi is something I just couldnt digest. the third act was so convinient and contrived. Bale was great but hugh jackman was miscast. he has no screen presence in front of bale. moreover I think nolan takes his movies more seriously than he should.
its a amazing movie … i love it ….
I feel this movie is being a bit overrated, here in this forum.
This is definitely a good movie, but far from being the masterpiece it is being made out to be. It requires quite a lot of suspension of disbelief….howevr I liked how a clue was provided right in the beginning of the movie…showing hundreds of hats lying around and the narrator saying “Are u watching closely”. Howevr, I feel “The Illusionist” was the better made movie of the two..and did not require any unreasonable leaps of logic to justify the final act….neways both films are enjoyable.
This is a superb movie!
I really felt it would be a slow, boring film, but I was hooked!
A must see!
Chalam …if you really got the ending and ur absolutely confident then what about the hundred’s of people people debating on imdb and the internet in general abt the ending ? truth is nobody has figured out the ending bcoz it ha been left open either delibrately or the writers spun the plot in a loophole that they themselves could not get out of.so leaving it open was an easy option ?
and thats exactly my point and why i dont like it …because its very easy to twist the hell out of a plot and leave it open to to close it in a way that everyone gets it is really hard !! so decide fr urself if mr nolan and his bunch is really genius or not…